Officials News Archive - February, 2009

Hi folks!

With the OSI championships concluding over the next few weeks and higher level meets looming, I would like to take a moment to point out Article V, Section V of the OSI Policy and Procedures Manual (Standing Rules) which details the procedure for application for reimbursement of officials' travel to attend specifically named meets.  It is important to note that application for reimbursement must be made and approved in advance of an official attending a meet; to be clear, request for reimbursement made following attendance at a meet will not be considered.  If you are considering applying for travel reimbursement please take a moment to review this standing rule here.

Thank you for understanding the need to maintain financial responsibility with regard to the officials' travel budget.

See you on deck!

Bob

Hi folks!

Both the 11-14 Championships and the Senior Championships will be National Evaluation Meets, which is to say you may apply and be evaluated for advancement to or recertification at N2 for any position, and for limited positions at N3.  If you wish to apply for evaluation please complete the form found here.

Once you have completed the form online, please save it to your computer; I suggest saving with a change to the file name, perhaps adding your last name to the beginning of the file name.  Next you can drop it into an email to the appropriate meet referee:

11-14 Champs – Jacki Allender – seewun at proaxis dot com

Senior Champs – Joe Dahl – joe at tcsor dot com

If you have any questions about the application or process please send an email to me or one of the referees listed above.

See you on deck!

Bob McMillan

USA Swimming has released a document regarding interpretation of it's Rules and Regulations Article 102.9.1 (swimwear) authored by Bruce Stratton, Rules and Regulations Committee Chair.  Please take a moment to review the document.

Hi folks!

A question came up at a meet this weekend and I would like to clear up any confusion that may exist regarding this rule interpretation.

For years within our LSC we've been instructed that a swimmer may turn in any fashion they desire, including stopping and standing on the bottom; the key is they must have assumed the proper form once they have left the wall in commencing the swim.  However under disqualifications, 102.10.5, the rule reads "Standing on the bottom during any other stroke [than free] shall result in disqualification."  Further, the butterfly turn rule states a swimmer may turn in any manner they desire, 101.3.4, while breaststroke and backstroke turn rules do not make this statement.  This does seem at odds with our LSC practice.

The answer can be found on the USA Swimming website.  From time to time the Rules Committee publishes an interpretation or clarification that cannot be found in the rule book.  Click here to jump to the USA Swimming rules interpretation page where you will find that in every stroke a swimmer may turn in any manner they desire, which may include standing on the bottom of the pool.

If you have any questions please send an email.

See you on deck!

Bob

Hi folks!

There has been some question recently regarding the backstroke turn and I would like to ensure that we are all on the same page within our LSC with regard to the terms and the infraction.

The issue is the verbiage of the rule surrounding the turn has changed and the rule no longer refers to a "non-continuous turn"; the rule now refers to "initiate(ing)" an arm pull or the turn.  The fact is nothing surrounding the way a swimmer is allowed to turn has changed, and nothing surrounding what would be an infraction of the rule has changed. 

I asked for clarification from the USA Swimming Rules Committee and was advised they have not asked for a change; however they are asking us to make an effort to move away from the term "non-continuous turn".  

Until provided definitive direction from USA swimming, please practice the following:

If a non-conforming swim is observed, please check the box listed as "non-continuous turn" on the DQ slip.  This may seem at odds with the intention of the officials committee, but my contention is that this is what we have been provided as an option.  The other option would be to write a sentence on the DQ slip, and this is not practical.  If questioned regarding the call, the official should practice using the terms "failed to initiate the arm pull immediately after rolling toward the breast", "failed to initiate the turn following the arm pull", or "failed to initiate the turn after rolling toward the breast". 

It is important to remember that nothing regarding the way we make this call has changed, only the way we discuss the call.

Please email if you have any questions.

See you!

Bob