.1 – "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 override any meet official on a point of rule interpretation, or on a judgment decision pertaining to an action which the Referee has personally observed; shall also disqualify a swimmer(s) for any violations of the rules that the Referee personally observes …….. .

.1 – "Protests against the judgment decisions of starters, stroke, turn, place and relay take-off judges can only be considered by the Referee and the Referee’s decision shall be final.

- "Previous certification as Stroke and Turn for 2 years or as Stroke and Turn for 1 year and as Starter for 1 year."

- "Be familiar with the positions of Announcer, Clerk of Course, Starter, Stroke and Turn Judge, Chief Judge, Timer, Timing Judge and Meet Marshall."

- Must pass U.S.S. Officials’ test (all sections) with a grade of at least 80%.

• Really the same for all officials
• Not specified in the rules
• All the qualities are to better serve the customer – coaches, swimmers and other officials

• Most of the procedures and problems are the same.
• All deserve full attention and total quality effort.

• Pre-meet preparation is highly important.
• Day of meet is in most cases too late to change, only time to execute.
• Time lines are critical and result of planning.
• "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail."

• Selection of the key team members is important.
• Build a team and then delegate.
• Clearly state what you expect.
• Explain the rules but don’t single out the "rule de jour".
• Clearly spell out jurisdiction.
• Balance the deck (physically as well as by ability/experience).
• Discuss unusual circumstances.

• Don’t chastise.
• Conduct a meeting at all levels of competition.
• Discuss unusual circumstances.
• BE VERY RELUCTANT/CAREFUL IN CHANGING MEET FORMAT/PROCEDURES.
• Anticipate issues prior to the meeting and deal with them before the meeting.
• Listen to questions and comments.

• Walk the deck before the meet starts and during the meet.
• Talk to the coaches and swimmers (as appropriate).
• Know who the key coaches are.
• Sense where there are problems.
• Ask opinions.
• Build respect and "team".

• Officials must be professional.
• Handle the over-zealous official.

• It is not a sign of weakness or lack of knowledge to ask for someone’s opinion.
• Be selective but your sources can be other officials, meet directors and coaches.
• Builds team.
• Builds confidence of newer or less senior officials