1. USA Swimming and Georgia Swimming Starter Clinic
Clinic Instructor:
Ed Saltzman & Clarice Wasmuth
Presentation Prepared by USA Swimming National Officials Committee & Clarice Wasmuth
USA Swimming National Officials Committee

2. Clinic Overview Introduction Philosophy of Starting Starting Rules
Elements of the Start/Techniques of Starting
Developing Good Habits and a Routine
Next Steps & Resources
Questions
USA Swimming National Officials Committee

3. Philosophy of Starting
GOAL: A fair start for all swimmers
Three main aspects to understand
Knowing when the field is ready to assume the starting position
Knowing when the field is ready to be sent
Knowing when it is necessary to intervene so that these two goals may be realized
USA Swimming National Officials Committee

4. The Mindset of a Starter
The STARTER reads the field, to determine when THE FIELD is ready to start––Not the other way around!
PATIENCE, PATIENCE, PATIENCE
Control your emotions so that the swimmers can control theirs! Calm & Confident
No radios in your ears
USA Swimming National Officials Committee

5. USA Swimming National Officials Committee
Starting Rules
From Section of the USA Swimming Rulebook
When the swimmers and officials are ready, the Referee shall signal with an outstretched arm to the Starter that the swimmers are under the Starter’s control.
On the Starter’s command “take your mark”, the swimmers shall immediately assume their starting position, in the forward start, with at least one foot at the front of the starting platform or the deck. Swimmers starting in the water must have at least one hand in contact with the wall or starting platform. When all swimmers are stationary, the Starter shall give the starting signal.
USA Swimming National Officials Committee

6. USA Swimming National Officials Committee
Starting Rules
From Section of the USA Swimming Rulebook
When a swimmer does not respond promptly to the command "take your mark," the Starter shall immediately release all swimmers with the command "stand" upon which the swimmers may stand up or step off the blocks.
A swimmer shall not be disqualified for an illegal starting position at the start if the race is permitted to proceed. Enforcement of the correct starting position is the responsibility of the Starter.
(This means watch the toes in backstroke)
not above or curled over a gutter
with ledges toes are on the wall.
USA Swimming National Officials Committee

7. USA Swimming National Officials Committee
Two Parts of the Start
Knowing when the field is ready to assume the starting position
Knowing when the field is ready to receive the starting signal
Let’s Watch the USA Starter Video – 30 minutes.
USA Swimming National Officials Committee

8. USA Swimming National Officials Committee
Before Each Heat
Are they there
Are the having a suit issue or equipment issue
Is someone running to a empty block
Looking at swimmers behind the blocks
Short whistles
Long whistle(s)
Be in position and ready to go at long whistle
USA Swimming National Officials Committee

9. “The First Part of the Start”
Patience as the swimmers settle into position
Forward Start––One foot at front of block
Backstroke Start––Toes not curled over gutter. Ledges toes on wall.
Once all swimmers are in position, ready for the command
“The First Part of the Start”
USA Swimming National Officials Committee

10. Wait to say “take Your mark” until ALL the field is ready to take their mark. Read their body language.
Conversational tone
Inviting the swimmers to swim
Slightly descending tone or flat
Statement, not a question. A calm command.
Delivered in a relaxed, but confident way
“Close the door” “Pass the Salt” “I love you” “Clean your room”
If you say “take your mark” when ALL the field is ready the next part of the start is easy!
“Take Your Mark”
USA Swimming National Officials Committee

11. “The Second Part of the Start”
Wait for the swimmers to become stationary
Stationary does NOT necessarily mean motionless
Stationary = Establishes vertical plane at front of block
Send the swimmers once all are stationary
“The Second Part of the Start”
USA Swimming National Officials Committee

12. If Things Don’t Go As Planned…. (For ANY Reason!)
“Stand, please”
To be delivered more softly and extremely calmly
PATIENCE to allow swimmers to refocus before giving the command again
Dive Overs / Fly Overs
USA Swimming National Officials Committee

13. Once The Heat Has Started….
Hold microphone open and in position until heads surface, in case necessary to recall
Hold
Starter can recall a heat for any reason that caused swimmers to not have a fair start
Recall
Recall = No Swimmers Charged with False Start
Mark any empty lanes, time heat started (GA), in starter Heat
Mark
Mark time on time line of the beginning of each event. (Georgia)
Once The Heat Has Started….
USA Swimming National Officials Committee

14. USA Swimming National Officials Committee
The False Start
A Swimmer STARTING early—breaking his/her stationary position before the start
Record violation by notating on heat sheet
Dual confirmation procedures
Starter approaches the Deck Ref to initiate conversation – do not do this unless you have marked your heat sheet.
Give your deck ref some time to mark their sheet before approaching.
USA Swimming National Officials Committee

15. WHAT IS A FALSE START?
The rules state… “When all swimmers are stationary, the starter shall give the starting signal” ( c) and “Any swimmer starting before the starting signal is given shall be disqualified if the Referee independently observes and confirms the Starter’s observation” ( A).
USA Swimming National Officials Committee

16. Swimmer leaves the set or stationary position prior to the starting signal. The starting signal is then given. The race proceeds and, assuming the Starter observed the early start and the Deck Referee independently observes and confirms the Starter’s observation, the offending swimmer is disqualified at the conclusion of the race. Rule B applies. This is a false start.
FALSE START SCENARIO #1
USA Swimming National Officials Committee

17. Swimmer leaves the set or stationary position prior to the starting signal. The swimmer upon realizing the early starting motion attempts to catch himself/herself. Starter says absolutely nothing, and the swimmer fails to halt the forward motion and goes into the pool. Rule A applies. This is a false start.
FALSE START SCENARIO #2
USA Swimming National Officials Committee

18. Exactly the same facts as #2 above, but this time the Starter says “stand please” after the swimmer leaves the set or stationary position. The seven other swimmers stand or step down from the blocks. The offending swimmer struggles, but once again is unable to halt the forward motion and falls into the pool. Unlike scenario #2 above, here the starter said “stand please”, but that does not change the false start result. The rule is clear that the "stand" command is for the benefit of the other swimmers on the starting blocks. When the stand command is issued, the athletes have the option of standing or stepping off the blocks. The offending swimmer did neither. He fell into the pool just like the swimmer in scenario #2. Rule A applies. This is a false start.
FALSE START SCENARIO #3
USA Swimming National Officials Committee

19. Exactly the same facts as scenarios #2 and #3 above
Exactly the same facts as scenarios #2 and #3 above. However, this time when the command “stand please” is issued, the offending swimmer struggles, but is able to stand or step off the blocks. Rule A applies. This is NOT a false start. Why? Because the swimmer remained on the blocks or deck like everyone else in the heat, and no starting signal ever sounded.
FALSE START SCENARIO #4
USA Swimming National Officials Committee

20. Exactly the same facts as scenarios #2 and #3 above
Exactly the same facts as scenarios #2 and #3 above. However, when the Starter gives the “stand please” command a swimmer(s) other than the offending swimmer instantly bolts from the blocks and enters the water. Rule D applies. The swimmer(s) clearly started in reaction to the” stand” command. This is NOT a false start.
FALSE START SCENARIO #5
USA Swimming National Officials Committee

21. The swimmer, upon hearing the command “take your mark” starts down to take a set or stationary position. The swimmer loses his/her balance before coming set and falls into the pool. Rule C applies. The swimmer should be given the opportunity to come to his/her set or stationary position prior to the start. A loss of balance prevented that, and clearly this swimmer never engaged in any starting action. This is NOT a false start.
FALSE START SCENARIO #6
USA Swimming National Officials Committee

22. Within approximately 5 meters (10 feet) from start of pool
Want to be able to observe entire field but also distinguish between individual lanes
Starter chooses first, referee adjusts to starter
Where to Stand
USA Swimming National Officials Committee

23. Becoming Familiar With Equipment
Always test microphone, they are all different!
Test
At Georgia Tech wait for the “Green” light. Omega timing system.
Wait
Test volume, be sure you can be heard from all lanes!
Becoming Familiar With Equipment
USA Swimming National Officials Committee

24. Other Things to Say (And Not To Say!)
Refer to the swimmers as “ladies” and “gentlemen”
NEVER deviate the language of “Take your mark,” and “Stand, please”
“Relax, please” or “Swimmers, relax” for prolonged delay
“Lane __, toes, please,” if necessary to lower toes in backstroke
“Thank you, ladies (gentlemen),” to clear pool
Additional instructions only as directed by referee
Other Things to Say (And Not To Say!)
USA Swimming National Officials Committee

25. Other Possible Responsibilities of the Starter
Timers Briefing (Timer Meeting Document)
Sound warning signal (bell) for distance events. (500 yards and greater)
Counting each lane events 500 yards and greater.
Order of Finish
USA Swimming National Officials Committee

26. Practice, Practice, Practice!
The more experience you gain, the more comfortable you will be!
You are still a stroke and turn judge!
Practice, Practice, Practice!
USA Swimming National Officials Committee

27. Additional Resources USA Swimming Web Site: http://www.usaswimming.org
OFFICIALS TRAINING RESOURCES TAB
Test & Rule Book (Starter Test)
NATIONAL CERTIFICATION & Evaluation Tab
The “Professional” Starter
Georgia Swimming Web Site:
Meets to apprentice at (Always read your meet info before going to a meet)
Georgia Official Site:

28. USA Swimming National Officials Committee
Next Steps
Take On Line Open Book Test – USA Swimming Site (pass with 85%) 1
Apprentice Form*** Always take with you to meets 2
Certification Cards ( ed PDF) Keep Apprentice form with you until you have certification card. 3
USA Swimming National Officials Committee

29. QUESTIONS?
USA Swimming National Officials Committee