To act as a Stroke and Turn official you must receive SMSL S&T training.

The basis for the SMSL stroke and turn requirements is the USA swimming.

No additional training planned at this time.

All swimmers are judged but only those in 10 and under races and older are disqualified based on the proper swim technique (Proper swim technique is required for all ages for the Invitational).  If a stroke and turn official observes a swimmer disqualifying themselves they will report it to the referee and record it to a Disqualifying (DQ) slip.  If the disqualification is verified then the swimmer is disqualified (10 and under and older events only) and the DQ slip will be forwarded to the coaches so that the technique can be improved in practice. 

Officiating Pointers

Attire:  White shirt - Navy blue pants/skirt.

Disqualification: Upon noticing an infraction, raise your arm to get the attention of the referee; however, keep on officiating. Once acknowledged, you may lower your arm.

Fairness:  In order to officiate all swimmers fairly, observe each lane for the same amount of time even if that lane has no swimmer.

Jurisdiction:  Officiate from the end of pool, from the middle of the pool in and back out to the middle (turn end).  Referee will determine lane responsibility prior to the start of the meet.

Observation Techniques:

1. When shifting form the swim to the  touch or turn, do not shift back to the swim until the swimmer has left the wall.

2. When multiple swimmers come in together, pick one thing to observe, and observe that on all swimmers (ie: 2 hand touch)

3. When observing the relay take off, see the swimmers feet leave the wall before shifting down to observe a touch.

4. When observing a one hand touch when two are required, you must actually see one hand NOT TOUCH - don't assume.

5. When applicable, swimmers who travel under water from the start and reach the far end flags shall be considered to have traveled more than the allowed 15 meters and will be DQ'd. 

6. Expect the unexpected.

Philosophy:  Then benefit of the doubt always goes to the swimmer.

Protests:  Refer anyone who questions a call to the referee.  Should a protest arise, the referee will ask you:

1. What you saw (specific infraction - take notes).

2. The swimmers position in the water when you saw it.

3. Your position on the pool deck when you saw it.

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Last updated: July 28, 2007.