You’ve completed your preparations. Equipment is checked and tested. You found your sweet spot for the microphone and it’s audible for all swimmers. You’ve gathered your supplies and are standing in your optimal deck position. You are ready to go!

Or are you?

Throughout the meet, think about staying relaxed while preparing yourself for each start, observing the next up swimmers while waiting for the Referee's sequencing for the next heat. Then, jurisdiction will be handed over to you from the Referee. It’s time to be patient and let the swimmers show you they are ready. When things don’t go as planned, there are procedures to follow.

Though you’ve completed a lot of preparation to make it to this moment, many times Starters, especially new Starters, are nervous. You may be anxious about making mistakes, or fear you may impact the swimmers. 

The way to become proficient is to complete starts. Get some experience and enhance your skills as you go. Every Starter, even a seasoned one, makes mistakes sometimes.

This role is not robotic and every start is different. It takes time to go from the steps you are now learning, to a skill set that is second nature for you. 

Don’t worry if you have sensory overload at first. Managing a clipboard and pen along with the starter apparatus buttons and microphone. Observing the swimmers before, during, and after the start. Listening for the whistles and Deck Referee requests amid the noise of the meet around you. It can take practice to handle all of it.

But it will happen! With practice, feedback, and experience, you will get a feel for it.

Remember: the start of the race is a shared responsibility between you and the Referee. They will help you get comfortable in your new role, and provide feedback and encouragement in the moment.

Mechanics of the Start

Let’s first focus on the mechanics of the start. This involves where and how you stand and what you are doing with the microphone within the process. In the last module, you reviewed an example of the equipment used for the start. Though there are multiple types of starting systems, they all have a push-to-talk button for the microphone and a button that triggers the start signal. Knowing how and when to operate the starting equipment, and systematically prepare for the next step of the process, allows you to focus on the most important part of the start - the swimmers.

Between Starts

In between starts, put the microphone away or in a place it won’t fall. Mark your heat sheet: mark if it was a good heat, any empty lanes, or note any lane in which you observed a false start (we will cover false starts later in the module). Find a spot out of the way of the Referee or other officials where you can observe the next heat. If you have order of finish responsibilities, perform those duties as required, then return to a standby position in preparation for the next heat.

Learning these mechanics will:

• Create consistency in the steps you take for each start.

• Take away equipment distractions during the start. 

• Give a structure or process to follow in this role.

Staying a step ahead - especially with the equipment - keeps you ready for what comes next. While we don’t want this to become robotic, a good start does involve some methodical steps. Consistency with those steps is one key to maintaining fair starts for all. 

Starters should have a process that they follow, and follow it every time, so when something goes out of sync, they recognize it.

Once the swimmers are in the water after a fair start, you have a few more things to consider. 

Return the microphone to a resting place where it can’t be bumped, and the cord isn’t in a traffic zone that could cause tripping. You may want to step out of the starting area to allow more room for other officials. Avoid conversing with the Deck Referee unless it involves a possible false start or another timely matter.

Are there any notes to make in your Starter program? Mark any empty lanes, false starts, or other things for which there should be a record.

If you have additional responsibilities to complete during this heat, fulfill those as needed. Once complete, be proactive and begin preparations to start the next heat.

As best you can, use your heat sheet to confirm the next heat’s swimmers are reporting to the assigned lanes. As the current heat’s swimmers are finishing, make sure the Referee is aware if there’s a swimmer that is lagging far behind. This assures the Referee doesn’t blow the whistle for the next event. Once the next heat’s swimmers line up, note if you have a missing athlete.

False Start Protocol

Rule 101.1.3 states a false start as: “Any swimmer initiating a start before the signal may be disqualified if the Referee independently observes and confirms the Starter’s observation that a violation occurred.”

Stationary

Once the Starter says "Take Your Marks," the swimmers are to assume a stationary position. Remember: that does NOT necessarily mean motionless. Swimmers can twitch or wiggle a body part in a stationary position, and all completely independent of initiating the start. The Starter must decide whether the movement was the swimmer initiating the start - or something else, like scratching a leg, wiggling toes, or looking at the Starter.

Identifying a False Start

Moving or leaning forward to leave the block may be considered initiating a start. If the swimmer moves forward after a stationary position, this should result in disqualification. However, if the swimmer moves forward and falls in without first achieving a stationary position, this is not a disqualification. If this happens, "stand" the rest of the heat. Confer with the Referee on what needs to be done to begin the start sequence again.

Early in the Sequence

If a potential false start occurs early enough in the starting sequence, the Starter should stand the heat. Mark which swimmer lane and heat the false start occurred on your heat sheet. Double-check that mark for accuracy of heat and lane. Approach the Referee and show them your notation, and, if confirmed, the Referee will remove the swimmer prior to the continuation of the race. Return to your ready position.

Late in the Sequence

If the Starter not stand the heat and continues with the starting sequence, the swimmer is disqualified at the end of the race. It does not happen often, but don't hesitate to use the recall option if you feel an external noise (e.g., coach's whistle) or motion (e.g., activity around the starting blocks) has interfered with a swimmer's ability to achieve a fair start. Keep the microphone in a start position until the heads break the surface so you can recall the heat, if necessary. 

If the starting signal has been given, continue to watch the heat through heads up, and calmly replace your microphone to its resting place. Mark which lane and heat the false start occurred on your heat sheet. Double-check that mark for accuracy of heat and lane. Approach the Referee and show them your notation. You may need to address the Referee with "I have a potential" to get their attention as the Referee will continue to monitor the pool.

Dual Confirmation

For all potential false starts, the Referee should also show the Starter their marked heat sheet as confirmation. 

There should be no discussion of what was observed, just a comparison of programs. 

If both of you agree, move forward with a disqualification of the swimmer. If you do not agree, there is no disqualification.

DQ Slip

When a Chief Judge is available, they will fill out the disqualification form and hand it to the starter for signature. Double check the event, heat, lane, and possibly the name and team, have been correctly noted and the false start box was checked before signing and handing the form back to the Chief Judge. When a Chief Judge is not available, the Starter completes and signs the disqualification form before handing it to the Referee for final sign-off.

If necessary, note any peculiarities to the false start on the heat sheet for later reference, possibly for when the Referee is advising a coach of the observed action. 

Start Guidelines for Swimmers with Disabilities

As an official, you will see lots of different athletes working hard to be their best. This includes swimmers with disabilities. As a Starter, you don’t need to worry about deciding on what accommodations or modifications are allowed. It is good for you to understand what you may see on deck, and what possible considerations are given to swimmers with disabilities for the start. 

The Referee is responsible to work with the coach and swimmer to identify appropriate individualized accommodations. If there are any swimmers with disabilities, the Referee may inform you of accommodations or modifications.

Note: the Referee does not have to share the disability or accommodations with the Starter unless the swimmer needs a modification during the start.

What are some of the things that help swimmers with disabilities at the start?

• Swimmers who are blind or have vision loss may use a personal assistant to get them to their block, or to signal a relay start once their teammate has touched the wall.

• Personal assistants may also be used by a swimmer with a cognitive disability.

• Modifications are frequently needed for swimmers with physical disabilities. They may require assistance to assume and hold a starting position. Alternate starting positions (sitting position on the block or deck, or in the water) are an option for swimmers insecure starting from the blocks or based on their physical disability.

• Swimmers who are deaf or hard of hearing require visual signals for the start. That may be hand signals, and possibly a lane reassignment to be near the Starter. The strobe light should be visible as an additional visual for the starting signal and may need to be repositioned for backstroke starts.

Based on the need for modifications or accommodations, swimmers with disabilities may require longer to assume a starting position. You should consider this when beginning your start sequence. Carefully observe the field of swimmers in front of you – as always - and adjust as needed.

Review Article 105 in the rulebook, which contains guidelines and suggestions for officiating swimmers with disabilities, including the Starter’s hand signals for those who are deaf and hard of hearing. Be sure to practice these in your preparation for a meet.

If you have any questions about what is required for swimmers with disabilities, add them to your list of questions for your apprenticeship. When on deck at a meet, you can always confer with the Referee if you need clarification of any modification or accommodation. 

Other Responsibilities for the Starter

Wrap Up

During the meet, there are still things you can do to prepare yourself for a start. Relax your body and observe the next up swimmers while waiting for the Referee's sequencing for the next heat. Once jurisdiction is handed over to you, it’s time to be patient and let the swimmers show you they are ready - to assume their start positions, get set, and receive the starting signal. Use your protocols and procedures when things don’t go as planned. Fulfill all of your other responsibilities to the best of your ability.

Click Next to start Module 4: After the Meet