Please consider becoming an official!
We need people who can become certified as a stroke and turn judge, also simply referred to as an official.
There are many benefits for parents who become officials!
- A better understanding of the sport and swim meets which can benefit your swimmer
- A closer view of the flow and excitement of the meet
- A job with regular breaks, no stretches of many hours like other jobs
- Free food including breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks!
- Access to better parking
Why do we need officials?
If we do not send the minimum number of officials, the team is fined.
Our swim meets are run by USA swimming certified officials, volunteers who ensure a safe, and fair meet for all swimmers. Every team that attends the meet is expected to send a certain number of stroke and turn officials depending on the number of swimmers registered.
Typically we send 1-4 officials depending on the size and duration of a meet.
Our team currently has 8 fully certified stroke and turn officials but we need more as swimmers age off and to spread the work fairly and evenly across parents.
What is the job like?
The main philosophy of being an official is that the swimmer always gets the benefit of the doubt. Officials are not there to jump on every perceived infraction, but to observe and make disqualifications when we are sure of what we saw.
When you arrive at the meet you will get assigned a team at the officials meeting. They will discuss the area your team will oversee. Usually you start at one part of the pool and rotate around with breaks in between.
What happens when a swimmer is disqualified?
Officials observe swimmers and raise their hand when they witness a potential violation of the rules. The chief judge or referee then comes over to discuss what the official observed.
Based on that discussion, a DQ slip may be filled out by the stroke and turn judge which explains the specific rule that was violated, along with information about the swimmer and the stroke. Ultimately the meet Referee decides whether or not to accept the call.
How do I become an official?
No swimming background or knowledge is required, training and support are provided.
Next steps:
- Register as an official with USA swimming
- Pay for your non-athlete membership (Official), MST will reimburse this cost
- Complete 6 online courses plus apply for a background check
- Pass the USA swimming Stroke and Turn Certification test (online)
- Apprentice a minimum of 4 training sessions over at least 2 meets with a trainer
Note: Apprentice hours count towards our team's officiating requirements
What are the online courses and how long do they take?
| Course | Expires | Approximate time to complete | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 2 Background Check | 2 years | 10 minutes | Do this first, it is easy to fill out but takes time to come back. Cost will be reimbursed |
| Athlete Protection Training | 1 year | 90 minutes | |
| Child Abuse Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA) training | Never | ||
| Concussion Protocol Training | Never | There are 2 links, either are ok. Send certification of completion to [email protected] | |
| Online Training Clinic - Foundation of Officiating | Never | 45-60 mins | Short quiz at the end |
| Online Training Clinic - Stroke and Turn Certification | Never | 60 minutes | Exam at the end. Send exam results to Phil Grant [email protected] |
Other important links
Stroke and Turn Check Sheet - use this when getting apprentice hours
Documents for Knowledge Stroke and Turn official
