Last updated on July 13th, 2022 at 11:56 am
Swim meet protests: Some officials and coaches shiver at the thought. It can be scary for a coach to do. It can also be intimidating for an official when a call, or another official decision is protested. This is especially true if s/he isn’t sure how to handle it or what to do. However, the right to protest a call or decision is very important. It provides a way to “check and balance the system” when needed. I like to say, “It keeps us all honest.” Nonetheless, it’s vital to have a clear “path to protest” so people know: what, the way, and to whom, they may protest. Why?
- To keep the right to protest working well, and
- To help prevent burn-out of officials. Officials, usually volunteers, run swim meets. Therefore, it’s important to keep them around.
Contents for Swim Meet Protest: One Way to Handle
Governing Body Rules
Governing body rules often generally address swim meet protests. Hopefully, both the coaches and officials are familiar with these rules. If not, the one who is may help educate the other, when needed, by using the rule book. It’s most effective, to do this in a respectful and civil way.
Meet or Organization Protest Strategies
Often, governing body rules give a general framework for processing protests. Some meets, or organizations, find it useful to develop more information. They do this to help their volunteer officials and/or coaches effectively handle protests. Utah Swimming is one such organization. Leaders developed a formal procedure to set up, and clarify, the path to protest. In addition to putting it into their policies and procedures, they also put it at the end of their state championship meet announcements.
Protest Form
Need a form to document a protest, or to have an idea of what information to collect? Here’s a sample from Linda Eaton, an official from Colorado Swimming.
Summary
Protests to a swim meet call or other official decision may spark dread in both coaches and officials. Although some thrive on controversy, many seek to avoid the unpleasantness sometimes associated with disagreement. One way to support volunteer officials, and coaches alike, is to set up, and communicate, a clear path to protest before the meet. Doing so not only sets up: what, the way and to whom coaches may protest. It also establishes a tone of civility and respect. It essentially says, “We understand and respect the right to protest. Here are some ground rules to keep it fair and effective for not only coaches, but also officials.”
Note: Sometimes people have negative feedback on the meet not related to a call or official decision. Find out more about receiving this type of information in the post: Feedback: Get, and Use, It To Improve Swim Meets.
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!