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Updated March 2002

Job Descriptions

REFEREE - is normally the starter, unless otherwise designated by the home team.

  1. Referees are required to read and understand official swimming rules governing short course and false start and are required to attend the clinic or course prescribed for starter/referees.
  2. Referee shall have full authority over all officials and shall assign and instruct them; shall enforce all applicable rules and shall decide all questions relating to the actual conduct of the meet, the final settlement of which is not otherwise assigned by said rules; can overrule any meet official on a point of rule interpretation or on a judgment decision pertaining to an action which he/she has personally observed; shall also disqualify a swimmer for any violation of the rules that he/she personally observes and shall at the time raise one (1) hand overhead indicating the lane.  If the referee does not make such a signal, there shall be no penalty.
  3. Referee shall give a decision on any point where opinions of judges differ; shall have authority to intercede in a competition at any stage to ensure that racing conditions are observed.
  4. Referee may, at their discretion, prohibit use of any bells, sirens, horns, or other noisemakers during a meet.
  5. Referee can consider protests against judgment decisions of the starter, stroke, turn, place, and relay takeoff judges; referee has authority to disqualify swimmers for any violation of rules that he/she personally observes.
  6. Referee shall rule on protests arising from the competition itself and shall be made within 30 minutes after the race in which the alleged infraction took place.  If the protest is not resolved immediately, the protester shall at that time file a written protest with the referee.  The Executive Committee shall vote this protest on and a majority vote shall rule.
  7. Referee shall ensure that the stroke judges raise a hand on DQ’s.
  8. Referee shall summarize DQ’s at the end of each race either visually or vocally.
  9. The referee shall not serve as the Clerk of Course or meet announcer.

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STARTER - as described in many instances, is also the referee:

  1. Starter assumes full control of swimmers until a fair start is achieved.
  2. Starter notifies swimmer of event, distance, strokes(s) to be used and the order of swimming them, as well as pool lengths to be swum.
  3. Starter advises relay swimmer that they must exit the water immediately after finishing leg, prior to the next swimmer reaching the other end of pool.
  4. Starter may modify starting rules to adapt for handicapped swimmers.
  5. Swimmers should place at least one toe curled over the front of the block immediately upon being called to the block by Starter.
  6. Starter shall assure that no swimmer shall be in motion immediately before the starting signal is given, i.e. no rolling starts permitted.
  7. If in the starter’s opinion a false start has been committed, he/she shall signal to recall the swimmers.  The false start is called on the individual, not on the field.
  8. Starter shall disqualify any swimmer charged with two false starts and the swimmer shall not swim that event.
  9. Starter may disqualify any swimmer who after stepping on the block or upon taking a starting position delays the start by entering the water or who willfully disobeys an order at the start, or for any other misconduct taking place at start.
  10. Starter shall not disqualify a swimmer for an illegal starting position if the starter has permitted the race to proceed without recall.
  11. Starter shall not permit a swimmer who fails to appear at the starting platform in time for initial start to enter the race and may be disqualified or be charged a false start at the discretion of the starter and the event counts.  A starter may not hold the meet up waiting for a swimmer.  Discretion must have been given to younger age groups and appropriate time given to place swimmer appropriate events and lanes.
  12. Starter shall coordinate starting commands with Clerk of Course and shall ensure that Clerk of Course disburses swimmers to appropriate events and lanes.
  13. Starter shall not penalize swimmer if in the judgment of the referee/starter the Clerk of Course did not properly execute his/her duties.
  14. The starter shall not serve as the Clerk of Course or meet announcer.

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STROKE JUDGES - at each dual meet there shall be a minimum of two stroke judges, one from each team.

  1. All stroke judges must be a minimum of 21 years of age, must attend a clinic or course provided by the League each year, and must b e certified annually by the League.  If an experienced stroke judge is unable to attend one of the League clinics or courses for good cause shown, the stroke judge may be certified by the Executive Committee upon written request by the stroke judge or team representative.
  2. Stroke judges shall assure proper execution of strokes and turns as described in current USS Rules Manual.
  3. Shall report any violation to referee and if possible the involved swimmer.  The stroke judge must detail the DQ on the swimmer’s card and sign it.  Failure to do so is grounds for reversal.
  4. Infraction Signal - upon observing any infraction within their jurisdiction, the referee and/or stroke judge shall raise one hand overhead indicating lane.  This action shall be done whenever possible so as not to get the attention of the swimmer.  If the official does not do so, there shall be no penalty.  It is the duty of the starter to summarize DQ’s at end of race visually and/or vocally.
  5. There shall be the same number of stroke judges on each side of the pool.
  6. Lane jurisdiction shall be determined by referee/starter.  If there is a question on a disqualification, the benefit should go to the swimmer.  When an infraction occurs on a stroke, one should “consider” repetitiveness and if an advantage is gained.

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