STARTING

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New England Swimming

• STARTING
• Philosophy Protocol

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Introduction

• General Overview consistent fair starts every
  heat of every event
• Specific Training go to session early observe
  starters notice whistle protocol play with
  equipment (or at least the mic) hear your voice,
  etc. Let the referee know that you are new start
  backstroke events in your first session. Work
  often!
• You must be comfortable to be good!
• Recertification
• Every 3 years(clinic, Re-Cert test) background
  check every 2 years Athlete Protection - every
  2 years?
• Service 4 Sessions per year

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Presentation Outline

• Philosophy
• Pre-race Preparation / Pre-session Preparation
• Awareness
• Timeline not your job referee should have the
  swimmers up early enough so you will not have to
  rush starts
• Protocol
• Forward Starts
• Backstroke Starts
• False Starts you go to the referee with the
  designation of the lane/heat
• Positioning of the Starter Referee
• Disabled Starts
• Final Comments
• Video and Discussion

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Starting is an art

• Good Eye and instincts
• Natural Reactions
• Patience
• Consistency
• Ability to Evaluate Situations
• Developed with Practice, Practice, Practice

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Philosophy

• Prior to Start of Session
• Check all Starting and Timing Equipment
• Pads, Buttons, Blocks, Sound, etc.
• Timers Briefing
• Start watch on strobe view of wall for touch
  recording times pace of session, etc.
• During the Session
• Ensure a fair start
• Order of Finish
• Counting for distance - Bell lap
• Thank the timers at end of session!
• Awareness
• Sense the pulse of the meet and deck
• Be proactive
• Timeline
• Purpose - Guide to aid coaches in swimmer
  preparation

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Philosophy(cont.)

• Preparation
• Establish relationships with officials
• Assist other starters OOF Counting Chief
  Judge
• Step in for deck ref
• Understand referees expectations
• Remember that the referees job during a race is
  to watch the pool your job during a race is to
  watch behind the blocks. Look for possible empty
  lanes, late arriving athletes, goggle or cap
  problems or anything else that the deck referee
  should know about prior to a start.
• Give timers time to prepare within reason
• Wait for an out-of-position official
• Provide a second set of eyes for Referee
• Arrive early to check equipment
• Placement
• Working Condition
• Check and test the microphone, key, start button
• Pads and Backup buttons for each lane
• Back-up equipment
• Starting Blocks

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Protocol

• Positioning of the Starter Referee
• Same side of pool
• Rationale
• Forward Starts
• Watch the athletes as they approach
• Series of short whistles
• Introductions (Championships)
• Long whistle
• Check foot position
• Referee extends arm
• Let the swimmers settle
• Take your mark using a conversational tone
• Unusual technique considerations
• Sling shot start
• Grab Start
• Slow responding start

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Protocol (cont.)

• Backstroke Starts
• Series of short whistles
• Introductions (Championships)
• First long whistle (swimmers enter water)
• Second long whistle (swimmers return to wall)
• Check the ready position
• Referee extends arm
• Check for swimmers readiness
• Take your mark
• Backstroke Comments
• Minimize grip time
• Allow time to get set

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Protocol (cont.)

• False Starts
• What is a False Start?
• Movement from a stationary position prior to the
  start signal
• Dual, independent confirmation protocol - (make
  notation show deck referee)
• Preventing False Starts
• The Take Your Mark command
• The Stand command
• When to use
• Protect swimmers doing it right
• Dont force starts rewind-start over
• Point of no return
• Committed to the start
• Mentally and physically
• Relief of false starts
• Unsteadiness, Confusion, Distraction, Equipment
  failure
• Multiple circumstances
• Stand or recall
• Allow swimmers to refocus
• When to re-swim

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Protocol (cont.)

• Disabled Starts
• General
• Rule 105
• Coach / athlete responsibility
• Hearing impaired
• Strobe
• Hand or arm signals
• Forward Start
• Short whistle - hand shoulder height wave
• Long whistle - arm up
• Take your mark - arm at shoulder height
• Start signal - drop arm
• Mentally or Physically impaired
• Assistance to blocks, deck or in water
• Use common sense
• Assistance
• Tappers

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Final Comments

• Ensure a fair start each and every time
• Practice to get experience
• Be patient
• Mistakes will happen
• Expect the unexpected
• Adapt to changing philosophies
• Be professional
• Be courageous
• Perform as if it is your last opportunity

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Starting

• Rule Book
• Video and Discussion

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• ARTICLE 101
• INDIVIDUAL STROKES AND RELAYS
•  
• 101.1 STARTS
•  
• .1 Equipment A loudspeaker start system
  conforming to 103.16, with or without an
  underwater recall device, and an electronic
  strobe signal visible to all manual timers for
  forward and backstroke starts, shall be the
  preferred starting device. 
• .2 The Start
• A. At the commencement of each heat, the
  Referee shall signal to the swimmers by a short
  series of whistles to remove all clothing except
  for swimwear, followed by a long whistle
  indicating that they should take and maintain
  their positions on the starting platform, the
  deck, or in the water. In backstroke and medley
  relay events, at the Referees first long
  whistle, the swimmers shall immediately enter the
  water and at the second long whistle shall return
  without undue delay to the starting position.
• B. When the swimmers and officials are ready,
  the Referee shall signal with an outstretched arm
  to the Starter that the swimmers are under the
  Starters control.
• C. On the Starters command take your mark,
  the swimmers shall immediately assume their
  starting position, in the forward start, with at
  least one foot at the front of the starting
  platform or the deck. Swimmers starting in the
  water must have at least one hand in contact with
  the wall or starting platform. When all swimmers
  are stationary, the Starter shall give the
  starting signal.
• D. When a swimmer does not respond promptly to
  the command "take your mark," the Starter shall
  immediately release all swimmers with the command
  "stand up" upon which the swimmers may stand up
  or step off the blocks.
•  

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• 101.1.3 False Starts
• A. Any swimmer starting before the starting
  signal is given shall be disqualified if the
  Referee independently observes and confirms the
  Starters observation that a violation occurred.
  Swimmers remaining on the starting blocks shall
  be relieved from their starting positions with
  the "stand up" command and may step off the
  blocks.
• B. If the starting signal has been given before
  the disqualification is declared, the race shall
  continue without recall. If the Referee
  independently observes and confirms the Starters
  observation that a violation occurred, the
  swimmer or swimmers who have false started shall
  be disqualified upon completion of the race.
• C. If the recall signal is activated
  inadvertently, no swimmer shall be charged with a
  false start and the Starter shall restart the
  race upon signal by the Referee.
• D. A swimmer who would otherwise be charged
  with a false start may be relieved of the charge
  if the false start was caused by the swimmers
  reaction to the stand up command.
• E. A swimmer shall not be disqualified for an
  illegal starting position at the start if the
  race is permitted to proceed. Enforcement of the
  correct starting position is the responsibility
  of the Starter.
• F. Declared false start swimmers reporting to
  the Referee prior to the start of their race and
  declaring their intent not to compete will be
  disqualified except as noted in 207.12.6D(1).
  (Finals in a Trials/Finals meet)
•  

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• 101.1.4 Warning Signal With the exception of
  relays, in events 500 yards or longer, the
  Starter or a designee shall sound a warning
  signal over the water at the finish end of the
  lane of the leading swimmer when that swimmer has
  two lengths plus five yards or five meters to
  swim. As an alternative, a bell warning signal
  may be given over each lane by a lane judge or
  timer for that lane.
•  
• .5 Deliberate Delay or Misconduct
• A. The Starter shall report a swimmer to the
  Referee for delaying the start, for willfully
  disobeying an order or for any other misconduct
  taking place at the start, but only the Referee
  may disqualify a swimmer for such delay, willful
  disobedience or misconduct.
• B. The Referee shall disqualify a swimmer who
  fails to appear at the starting platform ready to
  swim in time for the initial start of his/her
  heat.
• C. Such disqualification shall not be charged
  as a false start.

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• 101.4 BACKSTROKE / (Medley Relay Start)
• .1 Start The swimmers shall line up in the
  water facing the starting end, with both hands
  placed on the gutter or on the starting grips.
  Standing in or on the gutter, placing the toes
  above the lip of the gutter, or bending the toes
  over the lip of the gutter, before or after the
  start, is prohibited.
• 102.12 STARTER
• .1 Preparation The Starter shall stand within
  ten feet of the starting end of the pool and upon
  signal from the Referee, shall assume control of
  the swimmers until a fair start has been
  achieved.
• .2 Optional Instructions The Starter may
• A. Announce the event.
• B. Advise the heat when a swimmer will be
  attempting to achieve a time at an initial
  distance.
• C. For backstroke starts, give the command,
  "Place your feet."

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Whats Next

• Take on-line test multiple choice and rule book
  reference
• http//www.usaswimming.org
• Email results will go to Bob rmenck_at_ne.rr.com
• There is no official Apprentice period
• Let the referee know that you are a new starter
• Work as often as you can
• Enjoy yourself

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Addresses

• Officials Chairs
• Paul Memont prmnes_at_verizon.net
• Ken Galica kennethgalica_at_gmail.com
• Facilitator
• Name
• Phone
• E-mail

Carol Healy New England Swimming 47 May
Street Needham, MA 02492 office_at_neswim.com
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Web Resources

• New England Swimming Officials
• www.nesfficial.org
• New England Swimming
• www.neswim.com
• USA Swimming
• www.usaswimming.org
• USA Swimming Officials Pages
• Home/ Member Resources / Officials
• Rule Book Home / About / Rules and Regulations /
  USA Swimming Rulebook