During each session you judge, there are strategies you can use to prepare for each event and each race. We’ll dive deeper into the process of disqualifications and you will practice how to complete a DQ slip. After each session, self-evaluate your performance and find ways to improve.
You’ve prepared for this moment. You’ve studied the Technical Rules, attended the Officials Briefing, and received your assignments and jurisdiction. You understand the protocols of the meet. Now, you’re on deck ready to go!
Is there anything else to do other than observe? There are a few practices you can adopt to help get ready before each event and race.
On deck before each event:
Visualize the stroke you are about to observe.
Run through the rule requirements of a legal stroke and any transitions.
Recall the best and recommended ways to observe the stroke and turns.
Remind yourself to always use the “benefit of the doubt” observation protocol.
On deck before each race, think about positioning:
Stay behind the blocks at the start and encourage other swimmers, timers, etc. to stay back as well.
Follow the meet protocol for each stroke.
Stand in the correct location based on your assignment and protocols.
We’ve reviewed a bit about disqualifications, or DQs, already in this course. You know that, as a Stroke and Turn Judge, your role is to observe the swimmers. Any time you observe a potential violation of the rules, you raise your hand. You also know the Chief Judge or Referee will come over to discuss the infraction.
Ultimately, the Referee determines whether or not to accept the call.
Let’s dive deeper so you feel fully prepared for your role in the disqualification process.
The disqualification process starts with the Stroke and Turn Judge. Be prepared to explain what you saw and how it is a violation of the rule.
Let's dive deeper into the disqualification process.
Click on the play button to get started.
It starts with putting your hand up. But, really, it starts before that. Your careful study of the Technical Rules of swimming. Your willingness to show up for our athletes. Your hours of training time. Now, you’re on deck.
Before you observe the swimmers in your jurisdiction, take time to remember your role. You are there to observe, not inspect, scrutinize, or criticize. To judge all lanes using an equal amount of observation time. To be consistent for all rules and all swimmers. To call only what you see, not what you “think” you see. And our golden rule: give the benefit of the doubt to the swimmer.
In this meet, you are a stroke judge on the side of the pool watching lanes 1 through 4. The swimmers dive in for the butterfly. A young boy in lane 3 takes multiple kicks and his head pops up after the 15 meter mark. You put your hand up.
What’s next?
Make sure that hand is held up high - if not, it’s likely a Chief Judge or Referee won’t see you. Be confident with your call and make sure the appointed official can see you.
Don’t indicate to the swimmer, other officials, coaches, or spectators what lane you have called. Keep your hand up and look for eye contact from either the Chief Judge or Referee. They will give you a signal they saw you. Then, put your hand down. At meets without a CJ, the Referee may not be able to get to you immediately. If you aren’t acknowledged after a time, put your hand down.
As soon as the swimmers leave your jurisdiction, use your heat sheet to note the heat, lane, and violation. It helps to keep a DQ “cheat sheet” available for reference. As you get more experienced, you’ll get good at abbreviations, like 1HT for one hand touch or DIT for delay initiating turn. This helps to complete the DQ slip correctly. Do this as discreetly as possible, then continue to observe all lanes within your jurisdiction.
On some decks, the Stroke and Turn Judge fills out the DQ slip. On others, it’s the CJ or Referee. If you are responsible, start it after the heat. Complete as much as you can. If you are unsure of anything, leave it until after your discussion with the Chief Judge or Referee.
At the appointed time, the CJ or Referee will come to you. Start with event, heat and lane. For this one, start with “Possible disqualification in 100 m butterfly, heat 2, lane 3.” There may be a pause here if radios are in use.
When prompted, continue with the infraction and brief description. Don’t demonstrate with your body what the swimmer did. Explain what you saw and how it is a violation in clear, precise language. Use the technical language as best you can. This becomes more natural with experience. For this race, you might say, “At the start in lane 3, the head did not surface by the 15 meter mark.”
If you are unsure of the language, the CJ or Referee will assist you. They will ask questions and discuss it with you. It is OK to withdraw a call, especially if after talking it over you realize it’s not a violation. Everyone has those moments. It’s not about you, it’s about the swimmers, and they get the benefit of the doubt.
The other official will ask questions until they have enough information to explain it to Coaches, if asked. Once confident in the call, the DQ slip is completed. The Stroke and Turn Judge then reviews and signs it. The CJ will pass it on to the Referee who may accept or reject it. If accepted, the Referee will inform the Administrative Official and give them the DQ slip.
What if you have more than one infraction during a heat? This can be a common occurrence when officiating very young swimmers. Things like the separated and simultaneous touch on the wall can be hard for young athletes! Once they leave your jurisdictions, be sure to get the details noted on your heat sheet quickly and go back to officiating the race. Be prepared to discuss all infractions clearly.
Remember - do not discuss infractions with another official or any other individual, including a coach, unless asked to by the Referee.
If the Referee does not accept your call, it’s ok. Don’t let that get to you in any way. Use it as a learning experience. Maybe you weren’t able to explain what you observed well enough. Maybe it was a case of “ugly but not illegal.”
Experience is key here. All of the above is of no use if you are afraid to make the call! Calls should be crisp and reflex in nature. Putting in time on deck helps you get more comfortable making the calls and practicing the terminology. Studying the rules before every meet solidifies your knowledge. Your goal is to become consistent in your calls and interpretations.
Whether you are completing the DQ slip as a Stroke and Turn Judge, or someone else is, it’s helpful to be familiar with it. Your heat sheet information plus the DQ slip helps the Referee explain a DQ to the Coach, and helps the Chief Judge and Referee in the event a DQ is questioned.
As you get to know the DQ slip, you’ll realize it’s a great tool for your ongoing learning. It references back to the rules and has all the information needed to make your call. Many keep the DQ slips handy, on deck, or have one laminated on a clipboard as a learning resource.
Let’s get to know the DQ slip.
Be sure to turn them in before the end of the event so the Administrative Officials can do their jobs promptly. Never go on break with an unreported DQ or an unsigned DQ slip.
The session or meet is over. Whew! You might be tired of standing on your feet, but excited to be part of the officiating team. You and all the other officials worked together to ensure the competition was fair and the athletes got the best experience possible. Nice job!
What now?
Consider taking a moment to evaluate your performance as an Official. Honesty is vital here. And go deeper than just a feeling of “I had a good meet” or “That didn’t go well for me today.” Ask yourself “why?” You can learn a great deal from reviewing your officiating. When you recognize recent errors and their situations, you may be able to avoid them moving forward.
Take a few moments to click through some considerations as you reflect on your performance.
Use these questions to reflect after officiating. Take time to learn about your own officiating. Recognize any errors to avoid them moving forward.
As you complete your reflection on your officiating, take a moment to consider your overall performance as part of your officiating team.
Ask yourself these questions. Did I:
Arrive at the meet site on time?
Dress appropriately?
Participate in the Officials Briefing?
Raise my hand up high and confidently?
Develop and maintain genuine teamwork with my partners?
Maintain proper positioning?
Treat all participants with the appropriate amount of respect?
It helps to think about your own performance as an official, and then reflect on how you performed as part of the overall team.
During each session you judge, think about how to prepare:
Get ready for the stroke you are about to observe.
Think about your positioning and the protocols for the meet.
Follow the disqualification process including any changes reviewed at the Officials Briefing.
Review your technical rules so you are ready to report to your Chief Judge and Deck Referee, as well as complete your DQ slip.
After each session, evaluate your performance. Reflect and find ways to improve.
It’s time for the Stroke and Turn Certification Assessment. You must score an 80% or greater. Feel free to go back and review before proceeding.
Click Next to start your Certification Test