Chief Judge Advice for Higher Level Swim Meets

Last updated on January 31st, 2022 at 04:26 pm

As an experienced national level swim meet official, Linda Eaton of Colorado Swimming gets asked, “What do I need to do to be a good Chief Judge at higher level meets?” Here’s her response.

Prepare

• Read the meet announcement and know all the rules that will govern the meet. Know the events swum on each day. Identify what equipment a Chief Judge needs to make things run smoothly for those events.

Clarify Expectations

• Take notes in the Meet Referee’s assigned team meeting. Find out what s/he expects from each assigned position. This understanding enables correct interfacing with each according to the Meet Referee’s instructions. Common questions which need clarification include:
  • If there are multiple pools, will they be on separate radio channels, or the same channel?
  • Who handles Declared False Starts before a session begins?
  • What is the protocol for handling the paperwork?

Be a Good Member of the Chief Judge Team

• Follow the instructions given by your Team Lead Chief Judge.
• Bring up a subject in the Chief Judge meeting if it’s not mentioned and is something you need to know.  For example, Do we know where the counting cards are for the 500 Free?
• Don’t contradict or question your Team Lead in the officials’ meetings. If you have questions, bring them up, or ask for an explanation on something, in your private meeting with your Team Lead.
• Know your assignment for the day and do it well.
• Know where all the supplies are that you are going to need for that day’s events. Get them organized early.
  • As much as possible, do what you can the night before. For example, preparing lane timer sheets, if used. However, don’t bug the admin people if they look too busy for interruptions. If you have radio duty the next day, check the radios the night before. Account for all and charge.
• Show up for the Chief Judge team meetings a little early. Don’t be late.
• Support your teammates. Help them if they ask. If you discover something unusual or helpful as you do your assignment, share it with the person next on the list to do that particular task.
• If you have extra time, ask your Team Lead if there is anything else you can do to help get the needed work done.

Interface Well With Those in Other Positions

• Consider how you work with those in other positions.  Don’t make anyone come find you to get their “stuff.”  When delivering things to the Deck Referees, Starters, Admin or Evaluators , find out if they have any specific preferences.  For example, one might prefer a certain numbered radio, a certain headset, a certain kind of heat sheet (single column, one-sided, etc.). Some may want a copy of the deck assignments. Others might not. Pass the information on to the next team member who does the job.
• Make notes on officials in your quadrant.  Try to find good things to say about your people. Most everyone gets evaluated at higher level meets.  As a result, be ready to share your observations if asked. If anyone on your deck team needs help improving their performance, try to help them. However, be wise when working with officials who bring a big ego with them.

When On Deck

• Don’t let your attention wander during a session. Stay focused and do your deck job quickly and well. Turn in any paperwork (DQ slips from Stroke and Turn Judges, No Show slips, False Starts, Early Relay Take-offs, etc.) as quickly as you can. But don’t hurry so much that you make mistakes. Make sure it is correct.
• Follow your process for watching your officials as the swimmers move from one part of the pool to another.
• Make sure the officials in your quadrant follow their protocol. Be kind and gently remind them what the protocol is if they mess up.  If they are new to the protocol being used, explain why they should do something a certain way. This helps them better understand the procedure. It tends to “stick” better if they know why it’s done that way.

Reporting a Call

• If you have a possible disqualification(DQ), follow your radio protocol and DQ process. Be sure to confirm the protocol used with your Team Lead Chief Judge before going on deck for the first time.
  • Once you get to the Stroke and Turn official, call in the lane first thing. This is because getting the swimmer notified is critical at this level of meet.
  • Get all the relevant information to the Deck Referee quickly. Once you have identified the call and jurisdiction restrictions of the official making the call, radio in the event, heat, lane and infraction. Be clear and concise. Include your recommendation to accept or reject the call.
    • Remember that admin is listening. They may need the event, heat, and lane information to help them get on the right page. Don’t assume they always know which event and heat is in the water.
  • If you are the Chief Judge who notifies the swimmer, let the Deck Referee know it’s done by calling in the heat, lane and “swimmer notified.”

Misc. Tips

• Stay calm, cool and focused.
• Be smart and keep your best people skills handy
• Keep a low profile and stay focused on doing your job while staying in your “box.” (i.e. Play only your role on the team.)
• Keep your opinion to yourself unless asked for it. You never know when something you said in confidence (you thought) or as a harmless comment might come back to haunt you.
• Keep a smile on your face and look approachable. Relax and try to have fun.
• If you can, socialize with the unassigned officials each evening, even if you just have a beverage. Mix with everyone and make them feel included and welcome.
  • Change out of officiating clothes before you go out.