WHY become an Official for the sport of swimming?

Maybe you’re a parent who’s been spending a lot of time at meets.

Maybe you’re a former swimmer who wants to continue in the sport.

Maybe you just like being part of the action.

Maybe it’s all of the above! Your “why” for officiating is important. It keeps you motivated for

the length of time you want to participate.

But why does swimming need officials?

The goal of officiating at swim meets is to ensure a fair competition for all swimmers. There are

technical rules for all of the strokes and relays. When officials do their job of enforcing those

rules, it makes the competition fair. Disqualifying swimmers for a rule violation isn’t to penalize

them or their team. It helps them learn and develop within the sport. Those performing within

the rules get to finish the race knowing everyone followed the rules.

The sport has oversight at the international, national, and local level. World Aquatics oversees

swimming and other water sports at the international level. USA Swimming is chartered by the

United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (or USOPC) as the National Governing Body, or

NGB, for the sport of swimming. Within USA Swimming there are 4 geographic zones broken

into 59 Local Swimming Committees (or LSCs). Each LSC oversees the sport of swimming within

their geographic boundaries.

There are thousands of officials spread across the LSCs. These officials serve in various roles to

support swimming competition. The Stroke and Turn Judge observes swimmers in the water for

rule infractions. The Chief Judge oversees the Stroke and Turn Judges and assists the Deck

Referee. The Starter ensures a fair start to each race. Referees oversee the meet. The

Administrative Official helps manage data, including verifying times and recording

disqualifications. All of these officials are a vital part of running a meet, but, most importantly,

running a fair competition.

To standardize the training curriculum, these certification courses were developed. They create

consistent and clear knowledge of the rules of swimming and professional conduct for officials.

This consistency helps set standards and expectations for all officials at all levels. The ultimate

goal is high quality and consistent officiating for our athletes.

For all roles, certification requires a progression of steps. This online course is the first one. It

gives you the foundational, core knowledge all officials need to know. This includes the

philosophy of officiating, the expectations on deck, and how all officials work together to ensure

a fair and competitive meet.

After this course is complete, you move to the role-specific portion of the online coursework,

starting with Stroke and Turn. You will build your knowledge of that role, and walk through

real-life situations and scenarios to prepare for your on-deck training and officiating.

Once you complete any of the role-specific online training, you must pass an online assessment,

then move on to On-Deck Training and On-Deck Assessment. The On-Deck portions happen at

swim meets. This requires shadowing a certified official on deck to learn how to perform the

role in real time.

To step on deck at a swim meet, all officials must complete the USA Swimming Membership,

Background Check, Concussion Training Protocol, and Athlete Protection Training. The state of

California requires their own Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act, or CANRA, training as well.

Your interest in officiating will help your club run meets more smoothly and efficiently. As you

gain more experience in officiating, we hope you move up in the pathway to officiate at the

Chief Judge, Starter or Referee level. Experienced and enthusiastic officials give swimmers their

best opportunity at a fair and competitive meet.