When DST hosts a meet, it is our
responsibility to provide all the meet workers, including officials. The following descriptions should help
explain specific roles. Any questions
may always be directed to the Meet Director, Meet Referee, or Team
Administrator. For jobs requiring
training (i.e. computer), you will first work with an experienced operator, as
a trainee.
COLORADO/DAKTRONIKS TIMER OPERATOR Confirm the Event and Heat are correctly set in the timer. Monitor the start of each race. Disable timer for open lanes. Record race number for results verification by the computer operator. Print race results and reset the timer for the next race. This fast paced job makes the meet fly by and offers the best seat in the house for viewing races.
SCORER Review
the touch pad times and backup times on printed heat results from Colorado
Timer. Review lane timer sheets to
confirm ‘no swims’ and to compare watch times when there are timing system
problems or discrepancies between pad times and backup times. When adjustments are indicated, summarize
race information for the Meet Referee who will analyze any necessary
adjustments. Advise Computer Operator
of the proper time adjustments, and when all times are official, so he/she can
print results. When coaches question
race results or times, pull and review documentation to determine if an error
has been made, consult with meet referee for final decision of adjustments,
advise coaches of any changes and print revised event results. This job provides a great view of the action
for people comfortable with responsibility, but maybe not so comfortable with
computers.
SAFETY Are assigned to
various locations, usually on the pool deck.
Safety people will be added to monitor the gym, or other non-pool areas,
if a meet is unusually large. Safety
helpers ensure that non-USA registered or other non-essential meet personnel do
not go on the pool deck for any reason.
If a safety hazard or issue is noticed, they will inform the Safety
Director of the meet.
RUNNER Collects timers
sheets from each lane at the conclusion of every event, and gives them to the
scorer. The runner, normally a second
person, is also responsible
for posting meet results, as they are made available by the Compuer Operator
(usually in 2 places, 1 for the swimmers to easily see, and one for the
spectators).
AWARDS Our awards
workers will receive labels from the scorers table and will follow the results
in applying labels to the back of ribbons, then placing the swimmers’ ribbons
in their respective team bags. If
trophies are distributed instead of ribbons, they will need to place the result
sticker on the bottom of the trophy.
This is a great job for someone who likes to be sitting down. Award workers do not need to start working
until after the first few events have been completed. Generally the awards work is done in an area away from the pool
(I.e. lobby).
HOSPITALITY At least two parents who
are responsible for snack bar sales. (The snack bar will be set up and torn down by team
personnel.) You can easily take a break
to watch your child(ren) compete!
PROGRAM
SALES Arrive 30 minutes prior to the scheduled session
warm-up time. Your responsibility is to
sell programs, collect admission fees (if applicable), and have meet workers
sign in.
TIMERS Two are
preferred for every lane; one per lane is required. They time the race (we provide watches),
record the results for their lane, and submit their timers sheets to the runner
at the conclusion of each event. One
timer from every lane also depresses the computer timing button at the finish
of each heat.
HEAD TIMER
Runs a separate set of watches in case one of the lane timers watch
doesn’t start.
ANNOUNCER Announces each event
and the swimmers who are rostered to swim.
The announcer will also announce the results of previous events as they
become available.
OFFICIALS
(Middle Atlantic Trained Positions)
Officials
are present at all competitions to enforce the technical rules of swimming, so
the competition is fair and equitable. Officials attend clinics, pass a
written test, join USA Swimming as a non-athlete and apprentice at six meet
sessions before being certified. There are several positions filled by officials
at swim meets: Referee, Starter, Relay Take-off Judge, Turn Judge and
Stroke Judge.
DST sponsors periodic clinics to certify officials in the USA Swimming program, and we encourage our parents to attend other such clinics in the area. Levels of certification include stroke & turn judge, starter and referee. This is one way parents can really help our program, and we encourage interested individuals to fill these roles. In order to host high-quality competitions, it is essential that DST have a large contingent of well-qualified officials. It is expected that DST officials will also volunteer at non-hosted meets and regional championships. Our team participates in mini meets, A/BB/C meets for which there are no qualifying times, "A" level meets, and regional and national championships. In other words, any parent of any swimmer, regardless of age and ability, can be an official. Upcoming local Officials’ Certification Clinics will be announced on the Middle Atlantic and DST websites. If you have any questions about becoming an official, or about judgments that have been made against your swimmer, please contact Kent Steeves via boosters@freestyles.org
Referee - has overall authority and control; ensures that all rules are followed; assigns and instructs all officials; decides all questions relating to the conduct of the meet. Referees must have at least one year experience as a Starter and will be invited to attend a Middle Atlantic Referee’s Clinic
Starter - Assumes control
of the swimmers from the referee, directs them to "take their mark"
and sees to it that no swimmer is in motion prior to giving the start signal. Starters must
have at least one year experience as a Stroke & Turn Judge and attend a
Middle Atlantic Starters Clinic. The
starter advises swimmers at the start of each race as to the type of stroke and
distance of the race, and is responsible for ensuring a fair start for all
swimmers in each heat.
Relay Take-off Judge - stands behind the starting blocks to observe the relay exchange, ensuring that the feet of the departing swimmer have not lost contact with the block before the incoming swimmer touches the end of the pool
Turn Judge - observes the swimmers from each end of the pool and ensures that the turns and finishes comply with the rules applicable to each stroke
Stroke Judge - observes
the swimmers from both sides of the pool; walks abreast of the swimmers to
ensure that the rules relating to each stroke are being followed. The
positions of Stroke Judge and Turn Judge may be combined into one position
called the Stroke and Turn Judge. Stroke &
Turn Judges observe starts, turns, and strokes and notify the referee of any
witnessed violations of a swimmers’ strokes &/or turns. No previous experience is necessary. Middle Atlantic offers Stroke & Turn
Clinics to explain rules and responsibilities.
New officials serve as apprentices with experienced judges from our
team.
Currently certified DST officials are listed below:
Referees - Fred Frank, Cecil Gordon, Kent Steeves, Donna Vernon
Starters - None
Stroke & Turn Judges - Chris Sontchi, Drew Hastings(in training)