Well run meets and good competitive results are directly related to good officiating. Thorough knowledge of the rules, coupled with fair and consistent application of them, make a good official. To confidently work on deck, a Stroke & Turn Judge must study the rules, attending training sessions and working regularly at meets.

Officials should always keep in mind that the swimmers have worked hard to achieve their successes and deserve a fair and equitable competition. Officials must apply the rules intelligently at all times, using common sense and good judgement. The rules of swimming are intended to provide fair and equitable conditions of competition. Officials must work hard to fully understand the rules and their responsibilities in applying them.

The authority of Stroke/Turn/Relay Take-off Judges (like that of the Referee and Starter) to disqualify a swimmer makes these positions particularly important. To function properly, one dominant principle must prevail:

The rules of swimming define the acceptable form for each stroke. Many variations of form are possible and may still comply to the letter of the rules. Decisions regarding the form of strokes and turns must, therefore, be subject to flexible judgment and common sense. "Ugly isn’t necessarily illegal."

a.). Take officiating seriously and work hard at it. Competitors have a right to expect officials to know the rules and interpret them correctly, fairly and courteously.

1. Study U.S. Swimming’s official rulebook.
2. Uniformly interpret and apply rules.
3. Call violations as seen; don't guess or anticipate.
4. Be fair and consistent; always give the swimmer the benefit of any doubt.
5. Disregard club affiliation.
6. Exercise good judgment.

b) Work regularly at the job.

1. Officials need practice, just as competitors do.
2. Working regularly builds confidence.
3. Attend training sessions regularly to keep up with rule changes and new interpretations.
4. There is no substitute for experience.

c) Be professional in manner.

1. Fairness to all competitors must dictate actions.
2. Dress properly.
3. Make decisions quickly and decisively.
4. Don't smoke or eat on deck.
5. Avoid coaching swimmers.
6. Refrain from cheering--control your emotions.
7. Don't fraternize with swimmers, coaches or spectators during competition.
8. Admit a mistake if wrong; competitor's welfare is more important than your own ego.

d) Uniform. (Varies in LSCs)

1. Men: navy blue slacks (no jeans) or shorts, white shirt and rubber soled white shoes.
2. Women: navy blue skirt, slacks (no jeans) or shorts with white blouse and rubber soled white shoes.
   (Officials look much more "official" if dressed properly.)

STROKE JUDGE -- ensures that the rules relating to the style of swimming designated for the event are being observed.

TURN JUDGE -- ensures that, when turning or finishing, the swimmer complies with the turning and finishing rules applicable to the stroke used.

RELAY TAKE-OFF JUDGE -- ensures that a relay swimmer does not leave the starting platform before the preceding swimmer has touched the end of the pool.

The Referee (or, at the Referee's discretion, the Chief Judge) assigns and instructs Stroke and Turn Judges and Relay Take-off Judges. Before the competition begins, the Referee determines the respective areas of stroke and turn responsibility as well as jurisdiction.

Position:

Stroke Judge -- At the start, the Stroke Judge is responsible for observing the swimmers at the 15 meter mark for all strokes except the breaststroke.

After the start, the Stroke Judge walks the sides of the pool, preferably abreast of swimmers during all strokes except freestyle. The breaststroke and butterfly are best judged by walking abreast or slightly behind the swimmers. Judges should walk at a pace that is sufficient to stay with the swimmers. If the field spreads out, the stroke judge should maintain a position slightly ahead of the trailing swimmers while maintaining contact with the lead swimmer(s). If there are two (2) stroke judges working one side of the pool (usually in long course meets), a "lead-lag" observation pattern could be utilized as the field spreads out; i. e., the leading stroke judge takes jurisdiction over the faster swimmer(s) while the following stroke judge takes jurisdiction over the slower swimmer(s). After each turn, the stroke judges switch jurisdictions as they begin to walk in the opposite direction. Teamwork and coordination are important between the two (2) stroke judges to ensure that all of the swimmers are observed on a fair and equitable basis.

The stroke judge must clearly be in position to watch swimmers in the backstroke, butterfly, and freestyle events who are submerged after the start or any turn to ensure that their heads surface before the 15-meter mark.

Turn Judge -- The Turn Judges are positioned at either end of the pool.

Turns and finishes are best judged from the ends of the pool, slightly ahead of, but not directly over, the swimmer. The one exception to this technique occurs when judging backstroke turns and finishes, when the judge should stand directly over the lane, if possible. If a judge must observe more than one lane (the norm for most meets at the LSC level), the official will have to adjust his position to best observe all assigned lanes.

A Turn Judge at the starting end of the pool must position himself so he can step forward quickly to observe the first stroke and kick in the breaststroke, butterfly or individual medley events as soon as the starting signal is given and the swimmers leave the blocks. (NOTE: A judge in this situation must not block the Timers' view of the Starter, the starting device, or the Starter's view of the swimmers.)

(NOTE: Since most local swim committees (LSCs) mainly use combined "Stroke and Turn Judges," these individuals must be prepared to walk the sides of the deck and to "wrap around" on the turns, positioning themselves over the ends before the first swimmer in their jurisdiction turns, to ensure they cover all aspects of the competition.)

The Referee will assign each Stroke and Turn Judge an area of responsibility before the competition begins. This will include the manner and sequence in which he wants the judges to move to different areas.

The Stroke and Turn Judge’s responsibilities begin after the start. Any action prior to the start is the Starter's responsibility or, in the case of relay take-offs, it may be the Relay Take-off Judge's responsibility. Each Stroke and Turn Judge should observe the start; however, his duties commence immediately after the start.

There are two positions for Relay Take-off Judge: one stands immediately beside the starting block (the LANE judge) while the other looks across the lanes from the side of the pool (the SIDE judge). Depending on the number of people available and the lanes to watch a side judge could be assigned 2 but not more than 4 lanes and lane judges (depending on availability) could be assigned to watch from 1 to 4 lanes. It is preferable to have the lane judges watch fewer lanes than the side judges if a choice on assignment must be made. For example one side judge watching lanes 1-4 and a lane judge watching lanes 1&2 and a lane judge watching 3&4, instead of the other way around.

Finally, where limited personnel or the pool’s configuration does not permit the ideal arrangement of officials, common sense and equity in judgement must prevail.

1. Only the Referee or a Stroke and Turn Judge can disqualify for stroke, turn or finish violations. A Relay Take-off Judge is the only official, other than the Referee, who can disqualify for an infraction of the relay take-off rule.
2. Upon observing an infraction in their jurisdiction, the Stroke/Turn Judge or Referee shall immediately raise one hand overhead with open palm. (This requirement is intended to encourage officials to act decisively and to preclude consultation with other officials or reflection on the consequences of a call.) If the official does not raise his hand immediately following an infraction, the Referee should not allow the disqualification unless the Referee personally observed it. However, since "double confirmation" on an early relay take-off is required, a Relay Take-off Judge does NOT indicate an observed early take-off with a raised hand.
3. Report violations, in writing, to the Referee, detailing the event, heat number, lane number and violation. Use the standard USA Swimming DQ form (if available) and be specific in describing the violation utilizing the language of the rulebook.
4. Be prepared to accurately answer the "3 Questions" from the Chief Judge or the Referee, if asked, with the language of the rulebook - "Where were you? (Jurisdiction)," "What did you see? (Description)," and "What rule was broken? (Infraction)." Take a deep breath and think carefully before answering - try to visualize the swim in your mind, remembering that when you watched the swimmer approach you that their right arm was on your left, etc. And finally, do not take it as a personal offense if your DQ call is overturned - you did your job and the Referee must do her job, too.
5. The Referee, Chief Judge or designated official must make every reasonable effort to seek out the swimmer or his coach and inform the individual of the reason for the disqualification. Never suggest to a swimmer or coach that a swimmer "came close" to being disqualified; "close" is perfectly legal!

(NOTE: Officials should never give advice or talk to swimmers or coaches except to explain a disqualification actually cited.)

Disqualifications:

1. Can be made only by the official within whose jurisdiction the infraction has been committed.
2. Must be based on personal observation.
3. Give the swimmer the benefit of any doubt.
4. Disregard the opinion of others.
5. Apply simple test: BE SURE VIOLATION OCCURRED, UNDERSTAND CLEARLY WHAT IT IS, AND BE PREPARED TO EXPLAIN IT.
6. Any swimmer who acts in an unsafe or unsportsmanlike manner observed by the stroke/Turn Judge may be considered for disciplinary action at the Referee's discretion.
7. Swimming across lanes does not disqualify a swimmer unless interference occurs at the Referee’s discretion; however, the stroke/turn judge should report any observed interference to the Referee. The swimmer must start and finish in the same lane.
8. Standing on the pool's bottom during a freestyle race shall not disqualify a swimmer unless he leaves the pool or walks or springs from the bottom. (NOTE: standing on the bottom after the start and before the finish of any other stroke shall constitute a disqualification.)
9. A swimmer not entered in a race who enters the pool or course in the area in which a race is being conducted before all swimmers therein have completed the race shall be barred from the next individual event in which he is entered on that day or the next meet day, whichever is first (Referee decision). A competitor who dips his goggles in the water or splashes water on the face or body prior to his next event shall not be considered "entering the pool" unless the Referee concludes such an action interferes with the competition.
10. No swimmer is permitted to wear or use any device or substance to help his speed or buoyancy during race. Goggles may be worn and rubdown oil applied if not considered excessive by the Referee.
11. Relay disqualifications (NOTE: all these calls are Referee's or, in some cases, Relay Take-off Judge's decisions):
1. No swimmer shall swim more than one leg in any relay event.
2. A swimmer other than the first swimmer shall not start until his teammate has concluded his leg.
3. Any relay team member and his relay team shall be disqualified if a team member, other than the swimmer designated to swim that leg, shall jump into or enter the pool in the area where the race is being conducted before all swimmers of all teams have finished the race.

V. A Philosophy of Stroke/Turn/Relay Take-off Officiating: Mental Traps

1. Advantage vs. disadvantage (as a basis for making a judgment)?

2. The "Twice Theory."

3. "We don’t disqualify 8 & Unders" (the age group may change to 10 & Unders).

4. "Don’t ask me to judge my child."

5. Don’t Infer (Extrapolate)

Conduct:

VI. JUDGING SWIMMERS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES

Officiating can be an enjoyable experience. It is not designed to win popularity contests; however, the self satisfaction of having participated and having done a good job is very rewarding. Unfortunately, "sloppy" and uninformed officials rarely recognize their inadequacies, but fellow officials, coaches and swimmers do. Consequently, all officials must continually reassess their own performances. This can best be done by regularly reviewing the rules and training material and by attending retraining sessions.

The new or inexperienced official often asks, "How long will it take me to become a good Stroke and Turn Judge?" Obviously, it depends upon the individual but, rest assured, it won't happen overnight or without effort. Knowing the rules and attending training sessions are very important, but experience gained by working at meets is the only real teacher. Only experience can build the confidence the Stroke and Turn Judge requires before his or her performance becomes "automatic." Even then, it is essential that the judge continuously review the rules and regularly attend retraining sessions.