USRowing USRowing
Referee ClinicReferee Clinic The Start
Referee Commission, 2006
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Thank You!The referee commission wishes to acknowledge the contributions of the following referees who generously donated their time and expertise to compile this presentation.
William Collins, Thousand Oaks, CaliforniaRoxanne Everetts, Alexandria, Virginia
Kristopher Grudt, Pennington, New JerseyMichael Siconolfi, Syracuse, New York Clyde Voigtlander, Bar Harbor, Maine
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About This Presentation This presentation is one of a series being developed for referees. These presentations are an effort on the part of the referee
commission to expand the available training materials currently available to referees.
These presentations are developed for the purpose of referee education; They may be duplicated and distributed freely for the use of referees and any other member of the rowing community.
The referee commission hopes to continue to develop additional presentations.
We welcome your input and comments on this, as well as all other, presentations. Please contact your regional representative or your nearest clinician with your comments.
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Overview of Start IOverview of Start I Goals of the competent starter Tools of the starter Before any start Two minutes before the start The polled start Post-start checklist & miscellany The quick start The countdown start
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Overview of Start IIOverview of Start II
Problem: broken equipment Problem: no shows Problem: broken stake boats Epilogue
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Objective
Ensure all races start under safe, fair, and timely conditions
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Tools of the Starter: Skills
A calm, clear, and deliberate voice Employ a calm, natural tone Remember: less is more in giving
commands
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Tools of the Starter: Materials An updated schedule An effective starter’s flag Horn or bell to stop races Radio or telephone
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Tools of the Starter: Installation
A stable platform from 50-100meters behind start line and 3-5 meters high
Public address system- with lapel or stand-up microphone
A lectern or stand with a digital clock Second large clock visible to the competitors
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Before Any Start: I Scan the start area: from behind the
line to 100 meters out onto the course Make sure the event board is updated Invite crews into their lane as they
approach the start Announce race number, race name,
crew name and lane numberAnnounce “Five Minutes”
Check on availability of referees Update them as needed
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Before Any Start: II Check off crews as they arrive. Check for proper bow numbers and
uniforms. Assist when conditions warrant in
guiding crews into their start positions. But remember: you are not the
coxswain. Continue to announce the time up to
the two-minute mark: “four minutes”, “three minutes”
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Two Minutes Before the Start Announce, “Two Minutes” Check that all crews are locked
on to their stake boats Check that course is clear of
wakes, launches, or prior races Check for quiet in the start area
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Polling Start: I State the event
if this is a heat, indicate who advances Impose any penalties due to
tardiness or traffic violations announce: “Name of Crew, Infraction,
Penalty”; less is more get an acknowledgement from the
crew Check for the aligner’s white/green
flag
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Polling Start: II
Make sure your red flag is hidden and unencumbered
Poll the crews from lanes 1- 6: using the crews’ name
Establish an unrushed but consistence cadence
even if hands go up, do not get hung up very long; minor pauses are ok
if there is a substantial delay, cease polling; restart the poll from lane 1 after most hands are down
At the completion of polling, go right into the start commands. No hesitation or delay unless a hand has been raised or alignment lost.
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Polling Start: III Three Part Start:
CALLING CREWS TO ATTENTION RAISING THE START FLAG SAYING “GO” WHILE DROPPING
THE START FLAG
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Polling Start: IV When all hands are down, calmly
and evenly say, “Attention” Wait a beat and look over to aligner Slowly and deliberately raise flag
overhead with two hands (if possible)
After a variable pause say, “Go” and simultaneously drop flag smartly and crisply to one side
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Polling Start: V Do not let the first motion of the
flag be upwards, but to the side and down
If the start must be interrupted after calling “Attention”, slowly lower the flag directly in front of you (do not drop to the side) while saying “As you were”
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Post Start Checklist: Check that all crews leave the line; if
not, calmly and quickly stop race Check that Judge at Start still has their
flag up for a fair start Check that officials are able to follow
race Visually track all boats out of the start
zone or for 20 seconds if boats are about to collide; take
appropriate action with PA and not start flag
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Post Start Miscellany:
Notify the finish of any anomalies in lanes, bow numbers, or missing crews
Note down any anomalies about the race
Note names of referees following the race
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The Quick Start: I What is it: Polling Start without
polling Is everyone here who should be here? Are they in their right lanes?
When used: conditions for normal or polled start are not practicable current or weather problems interrupted polling in normal start
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The Quick Start: II When alignment is achieved,
announce “Quick Start”
With all hands down, proceed as with normal start by announcing “Attention” without audible polling Follow Post-Start Checklist as with any
normal start
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The Countdown Start: I What is it: under less than ideal
circumstances, you give crews 8 - 10 seconds to get a safe and fair point polling is omitted hands may be ignored
When used: if conditions do not allow for Polled Starts or Quick Starts Use when conditions prevent all crews
from holding a stable point
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The Countdown Start: II Announce that this start will be used
with less experienced crews, remind them that hands may not be recognized
similarly, you may demonstrate the start’s cadence beforehand: “This is a test. . . .”
Follow preludes as for Polled Starts Crews are not polled
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The Countdown Start: III Once alignment is achieved, begin
cadenced count of 5 through 1 Then use the three part starting
sequence do not tinker with the established
cadence Be very alert to possible collisions Follow Post-Start Checklist as with
any normal start
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Problem: Aborted or False Starts: I If crew remains at line, or if Judge at
Start raises red flag, stop the race in a loud and firmly controlled voice waving red flag evenly
Sound noise device Say “Stop” Determine quickly what is the
problem
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Problem: Aborted or False
Starts: II
Decide promptly if shells are to back down for restart or swing out of breakage zone and off the course for reschedule
Have officials repeat your decision to crews and assist if necessary
Remind novice crews to check their rudders if they back down
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Problem: Aborted or False
Starts III
Permit aligner to call you if false start repeat lane number(s) of offending
crew(s) to aligner to confirm Impose penalties as needed:
“Name,” “False Start,” “Consequence” receive acknowledgment; make note on
sheet mark the offending lane with token
Rerun the starting sequence
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Problem: Broken Equipment: I
If a crew stops in breakage zone or in first 20 seconds, assist in calmly stopping the race with flag and PA system
Check to see that an official quickly inspects the situation Get a quick damage assessment from
referee Decide whether to restart at once and
have crews back down, or
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Problem: Broken Equipment: II
If repair is major, consult with Control Commission about repair time-line
Announce to crews what the problem is and whether you will restart or reschedule
Announce how long the delay may be and what the new start time might be
Notify Chief Judge, Control Commission, and Chief Referee of your decision
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Problem: No Shows: I At the five minute announcement,
check for any missing crews have Deputy check with Control
Commission if crew launched without delay or problems
ask officials on water to scan course Weigh needs of athletes at the line
with the problem of the missing crew Normal penalty for not being at the
line at start time of a race is exclusion
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Problem: No Shows: II
Announce an estimate of delay Permit crews at line to stay warmed
up give them specific distance down the
course they may warm up instruct crews to use only their own lanes
If missing crew arrives in time for new start time, decide if any penalties apply If missing crew arrives too late, indicate
safest way for them to return to dock
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Problem: Broken Stake Boats If stake boat or platform is unusable,
move crew to lane seven if available if lanes have been seeded and not merely
drawn, preserve original configuration Ask referee to hold boat in affected
lane Be especially conscientious about
spacing and orientation of shells Don’t delay once you have alignment
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Epilogue You have done a good job as starter if
no one remembers you or your “style” Be clear, calm, aware, and
anticipatory Be careful that the schedule does not
prove an enemy to fairness & safety Remember: Less is more Remember: Athletes have not come
to see the Starter; they came to race!
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