If the home team has a PIAA official, that official is the Referee/Starter. If the home team has a certified US Swimming Official or NCAA certified Official then that official may be the Referee/Starter, unless a PIAA official from the visiting team wants to assume the duties of Referee/Starter. In any event, a certified official will take precedence over a league certified person as Referee/Starter.
The Referee/Starter should be dressed in white.
1. Check the condition of the pool
2. Check to see the blocks are all securely fastened
3. Check to see that the lane lines are tight
4. Check to see that the skimmer openings in the swimming lanes are covered.
5. Check to see that the 15-meter distance is marked from each end of the pool.
6. If there are any questions about pool depth resolve before the start of the meet.
7. Check to see that the table has copies of the PIAA and league rules. Contract the League president after the meet to report any violations.
8. Verify that the meet lineups are at the scorer’s table by 5:45 PM. After the meet, notify the league President of any team that did not comply by 5:45.
9. Make sure that each team has access to all lanes for ½ of the warm-up period and that the opposing team clears the deck area.
10. Check the starting system and recall device
11. Hold pre-meet meeting with timers, coaches scorers, stroke & turn judges and runners.
1. Start each race, ensuring a fair start.
2. Enforce the false start rules
3. Look for violations of the stroke, turn and finish rules.
4. Verify/sign off on DQ’s by the Stroke & Turn Officials (this is a referee’s option. The referee can waive this if working with experienced officials or if pool logistics make it impractical).
5. Check relay starts on the starting end of the pool.
6. Handle all questions/protests
7. If inclement weather threatens, the referee/starter may elect to hold the exhibition events at the end of the meet to try to get the meet completed that day.
1. Verify that both scorers agree on the score.
2. Sign both score sheets
3. Instruct scorers to take the DQ cards for their respective teams to give to the coach.
4. Contact the League president about any problems during the meet.
Starter/Referee's Instructions to the Timers
2. One timer in each lane is designated the head timer/recorder for that lane. All three watch times are to be recorded and the official time is to be circled.
3. Timers should start their watches for each event even if there is no swimmer in their lane in case a backup time is needed.
4. Timers should help with deck control – keeping swimmers away from the blocks until it is their turn to swim.
The Starter/Referee should conduct a test for all timers to ensure that all watches are working and record close to the same times.
1. Tell the stroke & turn officials that their responsibility is to make sure that all stroke and turn rules are followed and to disqualify any swimmer who violates those rules. Notify the referee/starter if you see infractions occurring that are not being called by the responsible official. An inattentive official in unfair to both teams.
2. The swimmer is to be given the benefit of the doubt. If a stroke and turn judge is not absolutely sure of the infraction it is not to be called. This does not mean being lenient because of age or ability. Each stroke has rules and they need to be consistently enforced.
3. Point out to the stroke & turn officials that there are many ways to swim a stroke that are not pretty but are not necessarily illegal. Only true violations of the rules are to be called.
4. Instruct the stroke and turn officials that if they see a violation they are to immediately raise their hand except on a relay when the hand is not raised until the last swimmer on the offending team has entered the water.
5. Instruct the stroke and turn officials to fill out a DQ card with the event number, the lane and the details of the violation. The stroke and turn official is to bring the DQ card to the Starter/Referee at the end of the race for the Starter/Referee to initial (unless waived by the Starter/Referee).
6. Instruct the stroke and turn officials where they are to be and what their lane responsibilities are (determined by the layout of each pool).
1. The coaches are not to confront the stroke and turn officials about a DQ. These questions are to be directed to the Referee/Starter.
2. Review the procedure to change event entries after the meet has started with the coaches.
3. Inquire about any unusual starts or turns, hearing impaired swimmers etc.
4. Warn the coaches about deck control and to keep the swimmers quiet behind the blocks.
5. Remind the coaches to check for any jewelry that might pose a safety hazard to the swimmer.
Procedure for a coach to change the entries for an event after the meet has started:
1. The coach writes out a card with the following information:
i. Swim team name
ii. The event number and description for which the change is being made
iii. The lane number and name of the swimmer being added or dropped.
2. The coach will take the card to the scorers table and give it to the scorer for the opposing team.
3. The scorer receiving the card will write the number of the event currently being swum and circle it.
4. Both scorers will make the appropriate changes to the score sheets and the announcer’s copy.
5. The card is to be stapled to the home team’s score sheet at the end of the meet.
1. The primary responsibility of a stroke and turn judge is to fairly enforce the stoke and turn rules for each event.
2. Always remember that the benefit of the doubt goes to the swimmer. If an official is not absolutely certain of the infraction it is not to be called. There are many ways to swim a stroke that while may not be pretty are still not illegal.
3. Before each meet each official should review the rules for each stroke.
4. If there is a stroke infraction raise your hand immediately (except on a relay where the hand is not to be raised until the last swimmer on the offending team has entered the water). Fill out the DQ card with the event number, the lane and the details of the infraction. Take the card to the starter/referee as soon as the event is over (unless waived by the referee/starter). Remember, DQ cards are learning tools for coaches to instruct their swimmers on correct stroke technique.
5. It is legal to stand up on the freestyle stroke. Walking or pushing off the bottom is not permitted but it is ok to stand up and then resume swimming. The same is true of the back stroke provided that the back remains facing the end of the pool toward which the swimmer was swimming and the swimmers body does not pass vertical toward the breast.
6. On the freestyle leg of the medley relay or the freestyle leg of the individual medley NO stroke position on the back is permitted.
7. Swimmers are to be disqualified for stroke infractions during exhibition events the same as during the regular event.
8. STROKE RULES – FROM 2001-2002 National Federation Rule Book:
ART. 1 ... The Backstroke:
(a) The backstroke start shall be used.
(b)
The body shall remain on the back to the degree the shoulders do not turn
over beyond the vertical plane except while executing a turn.
(c) Any stroke is permitted.
(d) Any kick is permitted.
(e)
The swimmer may be completely submerged during the turn or for a
distance of not more than 16.4 yards (15 meters) after the start and each
turn. By that point, the head must have broken the surface of the water.
(f)
The turn requires that some part of the swimmer's body contact the end
wall. After the swimmer's head has passed the backstroke flag, prior to the
turn, the swimmer's upper shoulder may (but is not required to) rotate past
the vertical toward the breast before the touch is completed provided such
rotation is accompanied by an initiation of the turning action or continua
tion into the wall.The initiation of the turning action shall be accomplished by a single-arm or simultaneous double-arm pull, or in the absence of such pulls, by
a downward, underwater movement of the head.After the initiation
of the turning action, no additional arm pulls may be started; however, kicking
and gliding actions are permitted.The swimmer shall
assume a position on the back before the feet leave the wall.
(g)
The finish requires completion of the required distance
and contact with
the finish pad (when automatic
timing is used) or finish end by any part of
the swimmer.
ART. 2 ... The Breaststroke:
(a) The forward start shall be used.
(b) The body shall remain on the breast except while executing a turn.
(c)
On the start or turn, one arm stroke beyond the hipline followed by one
leg
kick may be made while the swimmer is underwater. The head must break
the water surface prior to the arms beginning the recovery part of the sec
ond arm stroke which is the forward movement of the hands.
Thereafter:
(1) hands shall not be brought back beyond the hipline;
(2)
some portion of the head must break the water surface sometime dur
ing each stroke cycle (one arm pull followed by one leg kick) except
after the final arm pull to the turn or finish.
(d) There shall be no sculling with the hands at the end of the first arm stroke
following the start or turn.
(e)
The stroke requires that the arms shall move simultaneously and in the
same
horizontal plane, without any alternating movement. Both hands shall be pushed forward
-from the breast simultaneously on, above or under the surface
of the water.Elbows must remain under the water except for
the last stroke at the finishof the prescribed distance
(butterfly recovery is not permitted at any time)
(f) The kick requires the feet be .drawn up with the knees bent.The feet must be turned outward during the propulsive part of the kick. All movement of the legs and feet shall be simultaneous and in the same horizontal plane. No scissors, flutter, or downward butterfly kick (developed from a flexing and extending of the knee) is permitted.
(g) The turn requires a simultaneous touch with two hands not necessarily on the same plane after which any manner of turn is permitted. The shoulders shall be at or past the vertical toward the breast when the feet leave the wall. The legal body position shall be regained prior to the first arm pull, (h) The finish requires completion of the required distance and contact with the finish pad (when automatic timing is used) or finish end with both hands simultaneously, not necessarily on the same plane.
ART. 3 ... The Butterfly:
(a) The forward start shall be used.
(b)
The body shall remain on the breast except while executing a turn. After
the
start and after the turn, the swimmer is allowed one or more leg kicks, but
only one arm pull under water.
(c)
The stroke requires
that both arms simultaneously pull backward under the
water, then simultaneously recover over
the water. At any given time corresponding points on both hand shall be at
the same horizontal level.
(d)
the kick
requires that both legs and feet move up and down simultaneously
in the vertical plane. Scissors, breaststroke
and alternating up and down
movements of the legs are not permitted.
(e)
The turn requires a simultaneous touch with two hands, not necessarily
on
the same plane, after which
any manner of turn is permitted. The shoulders
shall be at or past the vertical toward
the breast when the feet leave the
wall. The legal body position shall
be regained prior to the first arm pull.
(f)
The swimmer may be completely submerged for a distance of not more
than 16.4 yards (15 meters) after the start and each turn. By that point, the
head must have broken the surface of the water.
(g) The finish requires completion of the required distance and contact with the finish pad (when automatic timing is used) or finish end with both hands simultaneously, not necessarily on the same plane. f-
ART. 4 ... The Freestyle:
(a) The forward start shall be used.
(b) (b) Any body position, stroke and kick is permitted and any combination ofstyles may be used,
(c) The turn requires that some part of the swimmer's body contact the end wall.
(d) The swimmer may be completely submerged for a distance of not more than 16.4 yards (15 meters) after the start and each turn. By that point, the head must have broken the surface of the water.
(d) The finish requires completion of the required distance and contact with the finish pad (when automatic timing is used) or the finish end by any part of the swimmer.
ART 5 ... The individual medley begins with the forward start. Competitors shall swim the butterfly for the first quarter of the required distance of the complete race, the backstroke for the second quarter, the breaststroke for the third quarter and any stroke other than backstroke, breaststroke or butterfly for the last quarter. Competitors shall adhere during each quarter of the race to the position, stroke, kick and turn rules governing the stroke being swum.
NOTE: Turns at the end of the first three strokes are considered turns. The finish is the end of the final lap of the race. PENALTY FOR EVENT FORM VIOLATIONS: Swimmer is disqualified from the event.
ART. 1 ... The medley relay is swum by a team of four competitors, each swimming one quarter of the required distance of the race. The first shall use the backstroke start and swim backstroke; the second shall swim breaststroke; the third, butterfly; and the fourth shall swim any stroke other than backstroke, breaststroke or butterfly. Each swimmer shall adhere to the position, stroke, kick, turn and finish rules governing the stroke being swum.
ART, 2 . , . The freestyle relay is swum by a team of four competitors, each swimming one quarter of the required distance of the race in any style, adhering to the turn and finish rules of the freestyle event. The first swimmer of the relay team must use the forward start.
DUAL MEET RULES:
The Suburban Swim League will abide by the National Federation Rules and Regulations with the following exceptions:
Swimmers and Divers Eligibility:
25 yards to 25 meters 1.094
25 meters to 25 yards 0.9141
30 yards to 25 yards 0.8333
30 yards to 25 meters 0.9113
25 meters to 30 yards 1.0973
25 yards to 30 yards 1.2000
Swimming Events
a) Infractions of the rules must be brought verbally to the attention of the Meet Referee before the next event.
b) Protests not resolved by the Meet Referee must be submitted in writing by the team protesting to the President of the League. The President will call a special meeting of the teams involved and the Arbitration Board. The Arbitration Board shall pass final judgement of the protest. The protest must be postmarked no later than 48 hours following the meet. Two alternatives will be appointed to the Arbitration Board made up of the officers), if members of the Board are involved in the protest.
9 Only 2 swimmers/teams may score for each team in each relay and individual event.
Swim Teams & Coaches Responsibility:
Starting time for warm-ups is 5:00 p.m.
Starting time for meets is 6:00 p.m. (6:30 p.m. is the latest starting time at the Referee’s discretion.)
If a meet has been started and then postponed due to inclement weather, the Head Coaches turn all Event Sheets over to the Referee, and plan a scratch meeting 10 minutes prior to the start of the rescheduled meet for changes. An entirely new line-up may be submitted from the point of the last event swum at the postponed meet, taking into account the number of events in which a swimmer may have already participated.
1 timer for each lane 9 timers
1 stroke and turn official
1 score keeper
If available, a PIAA Official will be in charge of the meet as Referee. (Home team responsibility)
By mutual consent, the two teams may agree to some other acceptable method of selecting officials if either club has difficulty supplying it’s quota.
Meetings:
Dual Meet Order of Events
1. Girls 8 & Under 100 Free Relay
2. Boys 8 & Under 100 Free Relay
3. Girls 15 & Over 50 Free
4. Boys 15 & Over 50 Free
5. Girls 10 & Under 100 Medley Relay
6. Boys 10 & Under 100 Medley Relay
7. Girls 12 & Under 100 Medley Relay
8. Boys 12 & Under 100 Medley Relay
9. Girls 13 & Over 200 Medley Relay
10. Boys 13 & Over 200 Medley Relay
11. Girls 8 & Under 25 Breast
12. Boys 8 & Under 25 Breast
13. Girls 10 & Under 25 Breast
14. Boys 10 & Under 25 Breast
15. Girls 12 & Under 50 Breast
16. Boys 12 & Under 50 Breast
17. Girls 14 & Under 50 Breast
18. Boys 14 & Under 50 Breast
19. Girls 15 & Over 50 Breast
20. Boys 15 & Over 50 Breast
21. Girls 12 & Under 100 IM
22. Boys 12 & Under 100 IM
23. Girls 14 & Under 100 IM
24. Boys 14 & Under 100 IM
25. Girls 15 & Over 100 IM
26. Boys 15 & Over 100 IM
27. Girls 8 & Under 25 Fly
28. Boys 8 & Under 25 Fly
29. Girls 10 & Under 25 Fly
30. Boys 10 & Under 25 Fly
31. Girls 12 & Under 50 Fly
32. Boys 12 & Under 50 Fly
33. Girls 14 & Under 50 Fly
34. Boys 14 & Under 50 Fly
35. Girls 15 & Over 50 Fly
36. Boys 15 & Over 50 Fly
37. Girls 8 & Under 25 Back
38. Boys 8 & Under 25 Back
39. Girls 10 & Under 25 Back
40. Boys 10 & Under 25 Back
41. Girls 12 & Under 50 Back
42. Boys 12 & Under 50 Back
43. Girls 14 & Under 50 Back
44. Boys 14 & Under 50 Back
45. Girls 15 & Over 50 Back
46. Boys 15 & Over 50 Back
47. Girls 8 & Under 25 Free
48. Boys 8 & Under 25 Free
49. Girls 10 & Under 25 Free
50. Boys 10 & Under 25 Free
51. Girls 12 & Under 50 Free
52. Boys 12 & Under 50 Free
53. Girls 14 & Under 50 Free
54. Boys 14 & Under 50 Free
55. Girls 15 & Over 100 Free
56. Boys 15 & Over 100 Free
57. Girls All Age Crescendo
58. Boys All Age Crescendo