Last updated on February 6th, 2024 at 03:55 pm
It’s a fact. Not all swim meet officials call disqualifications the same way. However, it’s in the best interest of swimmers to reduce the amount of variance in judgement calls among officials. Why? Consistent, clear, correct feedback helps swimmers to learn and improve. As a result, all swim officials should strive to improve their judgement in making calls. We need to create a smaller range of variance in judgement calls among swim meet officials. One might wonder, “Why just a smaller range of variance instead of no variation?” Because there will always be some degree of variance. This is because of personal judgement, positioning, glare, and other variables. Additionally, disqualification calls are not always “black and white.”
Contents for Improving Swim Meet Officials’ Judgement
Officials are judges who make judgement calls
The word “judge” is in the name of each official. Stroke and Turn JUDGE, Relay Take-off JUDGE, Order of Finish JUDGE. But it’s easy to forget that officials are judges and that means making judgement calls. Officials are also individuals with varied backgrounds, experiences, and personality traits, including attention to detail. As a result, there is, and always will be, some degree of variance in the way calls they make some calls. Some infractions are relatively straightforward and most people call the disqualification the same way. Or at least they don’t dispute the reasoning behind the call. Examples of this type of call could include:
- A slow one-hand touch at the turn or finish of the breaststroke or butterfly when only one hand is brought forward to touch the wall. (Call: One hand touch at turn or finish)
- In a backstroke event, a young child comes into the wall. But well before the touch the swimmer turns fully onto the breast to see where the wall is. Then, the swimmer turns onto the back and kicks into the wall. (Call: Shoulders past vertical toward the breast on the swim)
Other infractions have the potential for a high degree of variance of when, or even if, they are called depending upon the observing official. Examples of this type of call might include:
- Backstroke Turn: Delay initiating pull or turn
- Butterfly: Underwater recovery (either during the stroke or coming into the wall for a turn or finish)
Can We Decrease Judgement Variation in Calls?
Is it possible to reduce the amount of variation in the calls made by swim officials? YES! How? Education, ongoing training and mentoring.
Rules: Standardizing Application and Interpretation
As officials, we are bound to the rules. As stroke, turn, and relay take-of judges, we have a key role. It is to ensure that within our jurisdiction, the athletes’ performance falls within the governing body’s rules and regulations. It seems pretty simple and straightforward. But it’s one thing to see a rule in print, and another to know how it applies to what we see in the water. This same principle of ensuring the proper application and interpretation of rules applies to other positions too.
Governing Body Resources to Improve Swim Official Judgement
Governing bodies like USA Swimming and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) provide resources for swim officials. These include official interpretations of specific rules as well as situations and resolutions. They provide these to help promote a more uniform application of the rules throughout the country.
Personal Responsibility of Swim Officials
Knowing, understanding, and correctly applying both rules and official interpretations of rules are key to helping reduce the amount of variance in calls made by swim meet officials. This is one reason why it’s important for all officials, no matter how experienced to:
- Regularly read the rule book, at least pages applicable to your certification(s) or the position(s) you work on deck at swim meets.
- Keep abreast of official interpretations and application of rules.
- Take advantage of ongoing training, mentoring, and educational resources provided by governing bodies.
NOTE: There are many factors which influence judgement calls in addition to the ones listed here. The concepts conveyed here have been focused to highlight a specific principle. For more, see Weighing Factors: Swim Meet Decisions.
Preparing for a swim meet? Check out The Ultimate Swim Meet To-Do List. Then, get a bird’s eye view of Who does What at Swim Meets. Both include easy-to-follow links to related information. Doing a smaller, simpler meet? Host a High School or Developmental Swim Meet will help.
Need more help? See 20+ Ways to Get Swim Meet Timers and Officials: 20+ Ways to Get them for Swim Meets.
Also, discover a few things you can do to Increase Safety at Swim Meets. Find ideas to implement before your meet as well as last-minute quick and easy tips!