1. How to Work the presentation
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May 2010

2. JUDGE OF STROKE, INSPECTOR OF TURNS & HEAD LANE TIMEKEEPER
The National Officials Committee wishes to acknowledge the contributions of Swim Alberta officials and the Ontario Swimming Officials Association in the development of this presentation

3. This clinic includes the following: Function of Judge of Stroke
Function of Inspector of Turns
Filling out the Card or Infraction Form
Head Lane Timer
Overview of all Strokes
Individual Medley
Relay
Questionnaire
May 2010

4. Infraction vs Disqualification
Infraction Report: made by an official who is qualified to judge strokes and turns, assigned to that duty, and in the proper position to observe the swimmer in his assigned area.
Disqualification: made by the Referee, if an infraction report is accepted. If a PARA swimmer the Technical Official must agree.
May 2010

5. Swimmers with a Disability (PARA)
Swimmers’ classification and exceptions allow exceptions to some rule requirements.
When a Technical Official (TO), (educated in correctly judging PARA swimming), is available, he/she must approve all disqualifications of PARA swimmers.
May 2010 5

6. The Judge of Stroke
May 2010

7. Function of Judge of Stroke
Inspect the technique of the competitor
Observe the turns and the finishes to assist the inspector of turns.
Note all infractions, and report the infractions according to the process defined for that meet:
Inform Referee and if a PARA swimmer the Technical Official (TO).
If so instructed by the Referee inform the competitor and/or coach within 15 minutes of the completion of the heat.
May 2010

8. Judge of Stroke
Judge of Stroke
Inspector of Turns
May 2010

9. Function of Inspector of Turns
Observe the swimmer,
Commencing from the beginning of the last armstroke before touching and ending with the completion of the first armstroke after turning
Note all infractions, report the infractions according to the process defined for that meet:
Inform Referee and if a PARA swimmer the Technical Official (TO).
If so instructed by the Referee inform the competitor and/or coach within 15 minutes of the completion of the heat.
May be assigned extra duty of judging relay take-over.
May 2010

10. However …you may be required to judge both the stroke & turns
Judge of Stroke
Inspector of Turns
I added here
Judge of Stroke
However …you may be required to judge both the stroke & turns
May 2010

11. Judge of Strokes and Inspector of Turns
When serving as both you should be positioned to move between the side and the end of the pool.
Judge of Strokes and Inspector of Turns
May 2010

12. More typical is to find Inspector of Turns observing the turn end of the pool.
Should watch a complete turn one lane at a time.
Insure that you saw the infraction.
Inspector of Turns
May 2010

13. DQ Filling out the Card Write DQ clearly across the front of the card.
May 2010

14. Hand-out the Quick Reference Infraction Card
1:25 pm
Non-simultaneous touch at the turn
at 50 m
Bob Marley
Hand-out the Quick Reference Infraction Card
On the back of the card;
Write the time of the occurrence
Write the distance at which the infraction occurred
Use correct wording to describe the infraction
Sign the card; Print Your Name
May 2010

15. Disqualification Form
At Cardless Meets,
Typically a form with specific locations to be completed including:
The event number
The heat number
The lane number
Swimmer’s name, not used at Nationals or Trials)
The time of the occurrence
The distance at which the potential DQ occurred
Use correct wording to describe the potential DQ
Sign the card
Present to Referee and TO if a PARA swimmer
Ensure swimmer or coach has been told
May 2010

16. { { { { { { Head Lane Timekeeper Judge of Stroke Timers Timers Timers
Marshalling
Area
Judge of Stroke {
Timers {
Timers {
Timers
Inspector of Turns {
Timers {
Timers {
Timers
Judge of Stroke
Head Lane Timekeeper
May 2010

17. Head Lane Timekeeper (HLT)
Official acting as a Timekeeper, who is also Strokes and Turns qualified.
Responsibilities:
Checking swimmer’s name for each heat.
Checking the swimmers are competing in relays in the order stated on the card or lane sheet.
Taking splits – ensuring that at least 2 times (splits) are taken on the first leg of a relay.
Ringing the bell on distance events.
Observe turns.
Judge relay take-over.
These are
duties
which
the HLT
may
assign
prior to the
start of the
meet.
These duties remain the responsibility of the HLT
May 2010

18. Head Lane Timer Additional Responsibilities
Ensuring no one touches the timing pads
Ensure at least 2 manual times are collected for swimmers in senior events and for swimmers with disabilities (Records can be set within age groups or classifications)
Long Distance Events (800m and 1500m events)
Verify completed lengths with Chief Timer
Ensure split time for each lap is recorded
Bell is rung
With 2 lengths + 5 meters remaining
Over the right hand lane marker
Continuously from wall approach to the backstroke flags
Why are we taking 3 manual times for swimmers in senior events & PARA???
May 2010

19. Did you know? A swimmer may,
Stop and stand on the bottom of the pool only in freestyle
Hang on to the lane rope (to catch their breath) only in freestyle
A swimmer must remain and finish the race in the same lane in which he/she started
May 2010

20. However, A swimmer may not,
If you have an internet connection you can bring up a youtube video by placing your mouse over the link below and pressing the left mouse button
A swimmer may not,
Walk on the bottom of the pool
Push off from the bottom of the pool
Pull on the lane markers
Tape on the body is not permitted unless approved by the FINA Sports Medicine Committee or in the case of a PARA swimmer, by the Technical Official
Video Real Player – General Swim Officiating
The videos can be downloaded and shown at this time (Poor Sound) .
May 2010

21. Overview of all Strokes
The Start
The Stroke
The Turn
May 2010

22. Free, Breast, Fly and IM Starts
With a dive from the starting platform.
From the side of the pool if not deep enough.
PARA and Master swimmers from on the platforms, beside the platforms, or in the water with one hand in contact with the end of the pool.
May 2010

23. Breaststroke SW 7 The Start
After the start & each turn ONE arm stroke is allowed past the hips.
The head must break the surface of the water by the time the arms have reached the widest part of the second arm pull.
After the start a swimmer MAY, during the first arm pull, take a single butterfly kick followed by a breaststroke kick, during which the swimmer MAY be completely submerged.
May 2010

24. Breaststroke The Stroke
Each stroke cycle must contain one pull and one kick in that order.
During each cycle some part of the swimmer’s head must break the surface of the water.
I moved some information from the start slide to here
May 2010

25. Breaststroke
The Stroke
May 2010

26. Breaststroke The Stroke
I removed the words here as they were redundant
May 2010

27. Breaststroke The Stroke
The elbows shall be under the water except for….
Replaced remain under for ‘be’
… the final stroke before the turn, during the turn and for the final stroke at the finish.
May 2010

28. Breaststroke The Stroke
I changed the wording here to correspond with the rule book. I removed the part referring to water not running over the head as I believe it will be misinterpreted and it is not in the rule book. If a swimmer has a forceful stroke their head can break the surface and a wave could move over their head
During each cycle some part of the head shall break the surface of the water
May 2010

29. The feet must be turned outward in the propulsive part of the kick
Breaststroke
The Stroke
Changed here to correspond to the rule book
The feet must be turned outward in the propulsive part of the kick
May 2010

30. Breaststroke
The Stroke
May 2010

31. Breaststroke
The Stroke
May 2010

32. Breaststroke
The Stroke
May 2010

33. Breaststroke The Stroke
All movements of the arms are simultaneous and in the same horizontal plane.
One more time …
May 2010

34. Breaststroke
The Turn
The touch shall be a simultaneous two hand touch.
Head may be submerged.
May 2010

35. Breaststroke
The Turn
After the turn a swimmer may, during the first arm pull, take a single butterfly kick followed by a breaststroke kick, the swimmer may be completely submerged.
NO alternating movement.
May 2010

36. If you have an internet connection you
Breaststroke
If you have an internet connection you
can bring up a you tube video by placing your mouse over the link below and pressing the left mouse button
Breaststroke video
Questions?
May 2010

37. Backstroke SW 6 The Start
The swimmer is in the water facing the start end
Some part of the head must break the surface by the 15m mark after the start or turn.
I added that this is a water start
May 2010

38. Backstroke The Stroke NO movement beyond 90 degree vertical. Legal
Not Legal
NO movement beyond 90 degree vertical.
Legal
Legal
Legal
May 2010

39. Backstroke
The Turn
At the turn, the swimmer may touch on the back and MUST leave on the back.
… OR the swimmer may roll onto the breast, use a CONTINUOUS single or double arm pull to initiate the turn
Kicking into the turn is allowed
May 2010

40. Backstroke
The Turn
May 2010

41. Backstroke
The Turn
When executing the turn, there must be a touch of the wall with some part of the body.
The swimmer must leave on their back.
On the back is less then 90 degrees.
May 2010

42. Backstroke
The Finish
At the finish of the race the swimmer MUST touch the wall while on the back.
The body may be submerged at the touch.
May 2010

43. Backstroke
If you have an internet connection you can bring up a you tube video by placing your mouse over the link below and pressing the left mouse button
Backstroke video – Can be submerged at turn and finish
Questions?
May 2010

44. Butterfly SW 8
The Start
The swimmer is allowed to take no more than one arm pull while totally submerged. This must bring the swimmer to the surface.
There is no limit to the number of leg kicks allowed off the start and at each turn
May 2010

45. Butterfly
The Stroke
Some part of the head must break the surface of the water by 15 m after the start & each turn
Both arms must be brought forward together over the water and brought backward simultaneously throughout the race.
May 2010

46. Butterfly
The Stroke
All up and down movements of the legs must be simultaneous.
The position of the legs or feet need not be on the same level, but they shall not alternate in relation to each other.
May 2010

47. over the general water level.
Butterfly
The Stroke - Arms
Arm recovery is
over the general water level.
May 2010

48. Butterfly The Stroke - Arms Arm Recovery is not over the water.
Do we need this slide???
Arm Recovery is not
over the water.
May 2010

49. Butterfly The Stroke - Legs
One leg is allowed to be carried higher than the other.
The butterfly kick is the only legal kick
The statement in SW 8.3 A breaststroke kicking movement is not permitted, has been removed from IPC therefore allowing Breaststroke kick.
PARA & Master Swimmers:
Breaststroke kick is allowed
May 2010

50. Butterfly The Stroke – Legs Alternating kick (flutter) is not allowed.
Do we need this if we specify that the only kick is the butterfly kick??
Alternating kick (flutter)
is not allowed.
May 2010

51. Butterfly The Turn Must make a two hand, simultaneous touch.
This picture shows an underwater recovery which is NOT permitted
Arms must be recovered over the water on the touch.
Do it again?
May 2010

52. Butterfly
If you have an internet connection you can bring up a you tube video by
placing your mouse over the link below and pressing the left mouse button
Butterfly video
Questions?
May 2010

53. Freestyle SW 5 The Start The Stroke
Some part of the head must have broken the surface by the 15m mark after the start or turn.
The Stroke
the swimmer may swim any style or combination – the stroke is judged as a freestyle stroke.
Some part of the swimmer must break the surface throughout the race.
Couldn't figure out how get the grey shadow on the second slide that I added
May 2010

54. Freestyle
The Turn
The swimmer must touch the end wall with some part of the body during the turn.
May 2010

55. Freestyle
If you have an internet connection you can bring up a you tube video by placing your mouse over the link below and pressing the left mouse button
Freestyle video
Questions?
May 2010

56. Individual Medley SW 9.1 The strokes must be swum in proper sequence.
Fly
All strokes, turns and finishes must be performed within the rules assigned to that stroke.
Free must be any stroke other then fly, back or breast
Back
Breast
Free
May 2010

57. The swimmers must swim in proper order & strokes sequence.
Medley Relay SW 9.2
The swimmers must swim in proper order & strokes sequence.
Back
All strokes, turns and finishes
must be performed within the
rules assigned to that stroke.
Breast
Fly
Free must be any stroke other then Back, Breast or Fly
Free
May 2010

58. Medley Relay Takeovers
Swimmers may start from the starting platform or the pool deck.
The swimmers may start in the water (water depth, PARA, or Master Swimmer).
Can you clarify the part about if warranted a swimmer may start in the water?? I know PARA may but wher does it say others (except masters) an start in the water??
May 2010

59. Medley Relay Takeovers
The person starting may be in motion as the swimmer arrives.
The person starting may not lose contact with the platform until the arriving swimmer touches the wall.
Can you clarify the part about if warranted a swimmer may start in the water?? I know PARA may but wher does it say others (except masters) an start in the water??
May 2010

60. Medley Races
The swimmers must swim in the proper sequence, as indicated on the relay card.
Any other order is an infraction.
The Free style leg must be front crawl, or a stroke other then fly, breast, or back.
May 2010

61. Medley Races
If you have an internet connection you can bring up a you tube video by placing your mouse over the link below and pressing the left mouse button
May 2010

62. Questionnaire Please take 30 minutes to complete the questionnaire
Please use the answer sheet.
We will use the questionnaire for the correct answers.
Remember! There may be one or more correct answers for each question.
Relay and IM video
Video All strokes test AK Swimming’s Channel
May 2010

63. Questionnaire
If you have an internet connection you can bring up a you tube video by placing your mouse over the link below and pressing the left mouse button
Questions?
Relay and IM video
Video All strokes test AK Swimming’s Channel
May 2010

64. 1. The Judge of Stroke has authority/responsibility to:
also serve as an Inspector of Turns, if so assigned;
file a report for any infraction of the stroke rules which he observes within his assigned zone;
serve as lane timer, if so assigned;
if directed by the Referee, inform the swimmer or his coach of each disqualification and provide the rationale for the DQ;
advise swimmers of incorrect technique;
inform the swimmer before he completes his race that he is going to be disqualified;
confer with the Referee (TO if PARA) or other Judges of Stroke as necessary.
May 2010

65. 2. The Inspector of Turns has the authority/responsibility to:
observe and judge the legality of the ‘approach’, the touch and ‘push-off’ of each turn in his designated lanes;
file an report for any infractions of the turn rules which he observes within his assigned zone;
serve as relay take-over judge, if so assigned.
3. The Judge of Stroke should be positioned:
along the side of the pool;
at the starting or turning end of the pool, overlooking the centre lanes;
at the table with the Clerk of Course.
May 2010

66. 4. The Inspector of Turns should be positioned:
at the starting or turning end of the pool, overlooking the lanes to be judged;
along the side of the pool, between the backstroke flags;
at the table with the Chief Finish Judge.
5. When serving as both Judge of Strokes and Inspector of Turns, you should be positioned:
where you can move between the side and the end of the pool;
mid-way along each side of the pool;
high in the stands where you can observe the entire pool.
May 2010

67. 6. In BREASTSTROKE events, the swimmer can legally:
swim with the head submerged for the entire race;
swim with the head above the surface of the water at all times;
swim with the head submerged, provided it breaks the surface of the water at least once during each complete stroke cycle;
dive into the wall, submerging the head on the touch;
keep the head submerged after the start or turn, providing it breaks the surface before the widest part of the second arm pull is reached;
have the elbows above the water for the final stroke before the turns, during turns and at final stroke at the finish.
May 2010

68. 7. In BREASTSTROKE events, the swimmer can legally:
touch with one hand before the other at the turn;
touch with both hands simultaneously but at different levels;
touch with both hands simultaneously above, below or at the water’s surface;
allow the shoulders to leave the horizontal plane before completing the touch.
May 2010

69. 8. In BREASTSTROKE events, the swimmer may:
be on the side when coming out of a turn, after the feet lose contact with the wall, before beginning the first arm-pull;
take two complete strokes (arm pulls and leg kicks) before breaking the surface of the water;
use a single butterfly kick followed by a breaststroke kick, while wholly submerged after the start and each turn;
permit the heels to break the surface of the water;
use the flutter kick;
must use the butterfly kick throughout the race
recover the arms on, under, or over the surface of the water, providing the elbows remain beneath the surface;
fully extend the arms backwards during each stroke cycle;
If a PARA swimmer ,take a complete stroke cycle underwater for the purpose of returning to the correct lane.
May 2010

70. 9. In BACKSTROKE events, the swimmer may legally:
use a simultaneous double arm pull;
use an alternating arm stroke;
use an inverted frog or butterfly kick;
use a flutter kick;
turn his shoulders past the vertical during the stroke;
be submerged after the start and after each turn, provided the head breaks the surface of the water by the 15m mark
turn onto the breast and immediately initiate a continuous turning motion;
scull towards the wall, if he has missed the touch, as long as he/she did not leave the back during the turn;
after initiating a continuous turn, lift the head to determine the wall’s location without interrupting the ‘continuous’ nature of the turn.
May 2010

71. 10. In BACKSTROKE events, the swimmer may:
touch with both hands at the turn or finish;
touch while on the back, roll on to the front, grab the gutter and push off on the back;
turn before touching the end-wall with the foremost part of the body;
turn his shoulders past the vertical at the final touch;
dive into the wall and touch below the surface while still on the back;
be on the breast when leaving the wall after a turn, but return to the back before starting the first leg kick;
kick while still submerged, after a turn.
kick during a continuous turn.
May 2010

72. 11. In BUTTERFLY events, the swimmer may legally:
take more than one kick after the start and each turn before taking the first arm pull;
use flutter kick;
use the frog kick;
alternate between butterfly and frog kick at will;
swim with one leg consistently higher than the other;
recover the arms underwater during the normal stroke cycle;
alternate arm strokes;
trail legs with no kicking.
May 2010

73. 12. In BUTTERFLY events, the swimmer may:
kick into the wall for a touch with one or more correct leg kicks and the arms extended;
recover the arms underwater to complete a touch;
touch below the water line;
touch with the hands at different levels;
touch with one hand before the other but at same level;
touch with one hand;
turn on to the side before the touch;
dip one shoulder going into the turn, before the touch;
be on the side coming out of a turn, before beginning the first arm pull;
complete any number of underwater arm pulls before returning to the surface after the start or a turn;
kick while on the side before beginning the first arm pull;
at the start and after each turn, swim submerged provided some part of the head breaks the surface of the water before the 15m mark
May 2010

74. 13. In FREESTYLE events, the swimmer may:
touch with one hand;
touch with one foot;
touch with two hands;
use the Breaststroke;
use the dog-paddle;
push off on the back after a turn;
push off the bottom after a turn;
alternate strokes at will;
swim submerged at the start and after each turn as long as some part of the head breaks the water’s surface at or within the 15 m.
May 2010

75. 14. In the INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY, when changing from one stroke to the next, the swimmer is required to:
retain the correct form of stroke until a legal touch has been completed;
attain the correct form of the next stroke in accordance with the rules by the beginning of the first stroke;
be free to turn in any manner after a legal touch has been made for that stroke;
remain on the surface of the water.
May 2010

76. 16. The order of the strokes for the MEDLEY RELAY is:
15. The last one-fourth of the distance in the INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY or MEDLEY RELAY:
may be the Front Crawl;
may be the Sidestroke;
shall be the Front Crawl;
shall be any stroke but the first three of the Medley.
16. The order of the strokes for the MEDLEY RELAY is:
butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle;
backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle.
May 2010

77. 17. The order of the strokes for the INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY is:
butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle;
backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle.
18. A Judge of Stroke/Inspector of Turns may disqualify a swimmer for any stroke or turn infraction which he personally observes:
whether or not the swimmer is in his assigned zone;
only if the swimmer is in his assigned zone.
May 2010

78. 19. A Judge of Stroke/Inspector of Turns shall, unless otherwise instructed, report the infraction directly (verbally) to the:
Meet Referee;
Chief Finish Judge;
Session Referee/TO;
Chief Timekeeper;
Swimmer/coach within 15 minutes of the infraction, if so instructed by the referee.
May 2010

79. 20. A swimmer shall be disqualified for:
standing on the bottom of the pool except in freestyle;
walking on the bottom of the pool in the direction of the race;
using a stroke other than that specified for that event;
pulling on a lane marker in the direction of the race;
pulling along the side of the pool in the direction of the race;
leaving the water and then re-entering to complete the race;
holding on to a lane marker or pool wall to catch his breath, except free style;
interfering with the progress of a swimmer in another lane;
pushing off the bottom in the direction of the race;
breaking the stroke or the orientation of the stroke during the race except in freestyle.
May 2010

80. 21. In a relay event, when a relay take-over judge observes an early take-over, he should:
immediately inform the remainder of the team that they have been disqualified;
wait until the end of the race before informing the team about the disqualification;
immediately inform the Referee and TO if a PARA swimmer;
inform the Referee/TO at the end of the race.
May 2010

81. 22. In a relay take-over, the next swimmer:
may start from the platforms or the pool deck;
may start in the water when circumstances warrant (water depth/PARA Swimmer);
may be in motion before the touch is made as long as the toes are in contact with the platform or side;
may return and touch the wall if he feels that his take-over was too early.
May 2010

82. NOTE: IF THERE IS ANY DOUBT, DO NOT DISQUALIFY
23. When a Judge of Stroke/Inspector of Turns notes the details of a potential DQ on the swimmers card, he should also:
indicate on the front of the card that the swimmer is DQ’d (i.e. a rubber stamp, bold diagonal line, etc.);
sign the card;
indicate the time the infraction occurred;
record the distance at which the infraction occurred.
NOTE: IF THERE IS ANY DOUBT, DO NOT DISQUALIFY
May 2010

83. 24. Some of the responsibilities of the Head Lane Timekeeper are to:
ensure that the assigned swimmer is in his lane;
ensure that the correct time card is being used for each heat;
determine the finish time of the winner of each heat;
ensure that the correct times are being read and recorded in his lane;
determine the official time for his lane (when directed by the Chief Timekeeper);
ensure that one timer takes split times;
determine the placing of the swimmer in his lane;
notify the Chief Finish Judge, as directed, if the swimmer has made an apparent light touch;
operate the lap counters in long distance events;
judge the legality of relay take-over;
act as Turn Inspector if qualified and assigned;
ensure the swimmer in his lane is informed of his official time.
May 2010

84. 25. When an automatic judging and timing system is in use, the Head Lane Timekeeper should:
ensure that no one inadvertently contacts the touch pad;
ensure that manual times are provided;
transcribe the automatic time from the display board onto the time card.
We do not use three manual watches, should this be semi automatic – such a plungers and we do not normally use 3 now.
May 2010

85. 26. In long distance events, the Head Lane Timekeeper shall:
verify the tabulation of completed lengths with the Chief Timekeeper before ringing the bell;
delegate responsibility for tracking the number of lengths and ringing the bell to another Timekeeper;
advise the swimmer in his lane of the number of laps he has completed;
ensure that the split time for each lap is recorded (on the time card or other official form).
May 2010

86. 27. The bell for the bell lap:
shall be rung when the swimmer has two lengths and 5 meters still to be swum;
shall be rung over the right-hand lane marker;
shall be rung continuously as the swimmer approaches and leaves the wall (from the backstroke flags to the backstroke flags);
shall be rung for 800m and 1500m events only.
May 2010

87. 28. When judging takeovers, the Head Lane Timekeeper shall:
observe the touch-out and take-off from above the lane;
keep one finger in contact with the toe of the swimmer on the platform;
advise DQ’d swimmers immediately, even before the race is completed;
observe the take-over from the side of the pool.
May 2010

88. Always give the swimmer the benefit of the doubt.
You may be deceived by a splash
You must be absolutely sure.
May 2010

89. Approved by the National Officials Committee
Thank you.
Approved by the National Officials Committee
We would like to acknowledge the initial work on the power point presentation done by Swim Ontario and Swim Alberta
May 2010