referee the “boss”

© Copyright 2010-2014 Ontario Swimming Officials’ Association 1

Referee The “Boss”

June 2010

© Copyright 2010-2014Ontario Swimming Officials Association

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Today’s TopicsOverall Job DescriptionSkills & KnowledgeOn Arrival at the Pool Meet with Meet Manager

Before the Start of Session Meet with Senior Officials

Briefing of OfficialsDuring the SessionEnd of SessionUp the LadderQuestionnaire Review

Vocabulary“Shall” = No option; a command“Should” = Preferred course of action“May” = Optional


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Overall Job DescriptionThe most Senior Official on deck for the session Not in badge level but in authority Must be at least Level 3 and have taken referee clinic

Mentor and supporter for all officials on deckThere to ensure the competition is run fairly and smoothlyDon’t be afraid to ask for help – but ultimately all decisions are yours


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Skills & CompetenciesPositive attitude Listening and ObservationDecision makingCommunicationOrganizationExperience Ability to Keep Discipline With dignity, authority but without arrogance

Flexibility Don’t assume all meets run the same

Common Sense


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Know the Rules

Keep up-to-date with changes to the rulesHave a copy of the most recent rule book available – but not with you on deckRecommend Acme Thunderer Whistle, not Fox (Too Shrill)


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Know the Rules … 2Swimsuit Policy September 2009

GR 5.4 The referee of a competition has the authority to exclude any competitor whose swimsuit or body symbols do not comply with this rule.


Para-Swimming (Swimmers with a Disability) Websites www.swimming.ca/paraswimming www.paralympic.org www.swimalberta.ca/officials/swad-information-2.ht

m swimsask.ca/programs_swad.htm

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http://www.swimming.ca/paraswimming

http://www.paralympic.org/

http://www.swimalberta.ca/officials/swad-information-2.htm

http://www.swimalberta.ca/officials/swad-information-2.htm

http://www.swimsask.ca/program_swad.htm


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On Arrival at the PoolArrive 1½ hours prior to start – or when requested by Meet Management Dressed according to SNC rules (or meet

rules if different) Ensure you have whistle, rule book,

pencil

Ensure your name is checked off the Officials RosterFind Referee’s heat sheetFind Meet Manager/Meet Referee


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Meet with Meet Manager … and Meet Referee if there is one

Read meet package in advance (from website)Determine if there are any special rules … Deck Entries, Prelims/Finals, Para-swimming, Masters? Warm-up procedures/Life Guards? Double ended?

Any single-length events requiring change of start or timer end?Problems from previous sessions?Preferences for running session and any timing considerations? Review and approve Officials RosterAre people assigned to be: Runners, False Start Rope Operator, Safety Marshals


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The Referee Checklist is a great tool to use when doingthe “walk about” of the pool

deck.Found on the Swim Canada,

Clinics, Referee pdf file.


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Before Start of the SessionTime out the session – can obtain from MM Software Number of heats * (slowest time + turnover time) Should not be longer than 4½ hours

Do a facilities check Water temperature: 25 – 28°C (77 – 82.4°F) Chlorine level: between 1 – 5 around 3 PH level: 7.2 – 7.6 Air temperature: Minimum 2° warmer than water

Check lane ropes, starting blocks, backstroke flags, false start rope, 15m markersMake sure Safety Marshals are on deck and warm-up rules are postedCheck with the Technical Advisor if there are Para-swimmers, about the adaptations of the swimming rules pertaining to individual swimmers


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Example of Warm-up

Procedures that can be laminated

for posting around the pool deck and visible.


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This form will assist when you are checking the pool deck.

It can be found in the Swimming Canada Clinics Referee PDF file.


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Recorder/Scorer

Meet the Officials

Electronics

Referee

Starter

Chief Timekeeper

AssistantChief Timer

{{{{{{

Timers

Timers

Timers

Timers

Timers

TimersFalse

Start

Rope

Backstroke

Flags

Backstroke

Flags

Turn Judges

Clerk ofCourse

MarshallingArea

Chief FinishJudge

Judge of Stroke


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Meet with Senior OfficialsClerk of Course … Do firstStarterChief Finish JudgeChief TimekeeperElectronicsOffice (Recorder/Scorer)Objective of the discussions: Are they able to do the job ? Agreement on their responsibilities – specific to this

session


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Meet with Clerk of CourseAgree on the time to marshal the first eventDo they have enough help – marshals?Number of heats behind blocksMarshalling announcementsProcedures for: Scratch Rules as per Meet Package, Deck entries (Spare

Cards), Relay Cards, … Combining/Re-seeding heats and events Events with 1 heat (6-8 swimmers) go straight to Finals? Special Procedures for Finals

What and Who to inform of changes to program # swimmers/heat, # heats/event, combined events Referee, Electronics, Chief Timekeeper, Chief Finish Judge

and Starter


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Meet with StarterStarting over top?Discuss watch checkDiscuss signalsDiscuss false-start DQsAny other functions you want from starterRelay takeovers, turn judge, sweeps

Has the equipment been checked?Discuss announcements to be made by starter


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Meet with Chief Finish JudgeRe-confirm method of calculating official times Manual vs. electronic

Confirm process flow for: Cards and/or tape to table Official times to recorder/scorer Make sure they communicate with the office Verification of Posted Results

Notify Referee of swim-offs for FinalsCommunicate with Chief Timekeeper if problems with timesInform Referee of any other problems Lost times, getting behind ….


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Meet with Chief TimekeeperCheckout watches to Timers Review experience level & matching of TimersIdentify Head Lane TimersRecruit Timers if necessaryArrange a watch checkTake each heat winners timeDo briefing for Timers if asked by RefereeSingle-length/Distance Events, Official SplitsMonitor recorded times to catch glaring errors


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Meet with ElectronicsDo they have any concerns or problems?Equipment, people etc.

Have they arranged for a pad check?How much “change” can they handle?Do you need to wait until the board goes to zero?Signals


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Meet with OfficeDo they have any concerns or problems?Equipment, people, etc.

Have they talked to Chief Finish Judge?Have they talked to Electronics?Procedure for Posting Results


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Briefing of Officials (Referee may delegate

some of this to other officials)

Decide whether to separate officials for briefings At the briefing: Welcome officials and thank them for volunteering Introduce key officials including yourself Give officials an estimated completion time Tell officials what time they should be on deck Identify all Strokes & Turns Officials

Enough? Qualified? In the room? Conduct briefings for Timers, Strokes and Turns


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This PDF document

will assist you in your Referee briefing.

Found on the Swim Ontario, Officials folder

main page.


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Briefing - Strokes & TurnsReview areas of jurisdiction for Strokes vs TurnsIdentify number of lanes per judge Pair novices with experienced officials Judges can rotate during session

Reinforce guidelines for observing a turnIt’s OK to seek a second opinion Review all strokes for session Not a clinic – cover the salient points Para-swimming – cover any differences for clarification Masters Rules – cover any differences for clarification Relay Takeovers – do not indicate DQ until race has ended


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Briefing - Strokes & Turns … 2Inform the officials of the DQ procedures Only call it if you’re sure Wait till last lap, ensure station covered, try to inform

swimmer, fill out DQ slip/card, bring card to Referee Referee can overturn a DQ – Judge should not take

offence

Remind the officials of procedures for disputes Refer swimmers to their coach Refer coaches to the Referee


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Briefing - Timers(May be done by Chief Timekeeper)

Verify watches and/or plungers Check that everyone has timed before If not, ask Chief Timekeeper to conduct 101 after briefing

Ask Head Lane Timers to identify themselves Decide roles for each timer in a lane

Cover procedures for: Swimmer verification, Go by the Flash not the Sound Where to stand to take times, official splits Place to record times on cards, light touches When to clear watches Bell or single length events Place to record time on cards/lane sheet, light touches


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Starting the Session

Session can begin when:The pool has been cleared Clerk of Course followed instructions –

swimmers are ready to swimOfficials are in placeWatch check has been completed


During the SessionBe visible to officials and swimmersObserve that officials are performing their dutiesMentor if necessary Rearrange officials if experience is lacking

Keep the session moving at a steady pace Use a “Gopher” if necessary

Watch for the “unexpected”

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During the Session … 2When making a decision Deal with the facts Use all available evidence –time cards, sweeps Hear all sides of the story Feel free to consult fellow officials

Mark time on your heat sheet at end of each eventDo a sweep at finish of each heat Not mandatory but comes highly recommended

Communicate, Communicate, Communicate Officials, Coaches, Swimmers


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During the Session - StartsRequest quiet for each StartVisually check pool and officialsMark heat sheet with missing lanes & number of swimmersDo long whistle for swimmers to get on blocks or in water Whistle with authority Use 2nd whistle for backstroke

Swimmer position One foot at the front of the block; backstroke in water at wall

When swimmers are settled, hand over to Starter by raising arm down the pool Maintain raised arm until start is complete You can stop the start at any time

After the Start, watch that all swimmers have re-surfaced


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During the Session … DQsEnsure all details are completed – discuss with officialEnsure the following are notified of a DQ:Swimmer or CoachChief Finish Judge

Note all DQs on your heat sheetRemember the Referee may disqualify any swimmer from their own observations


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During the Session – DQs …cont’d

“DECISION OF FACT”The following needs to be present to have a “Decision of Fact”The official responsible has been assigned to

that positionThe official is in the correct position and is

qualifiedThe DQ is filled in and recorded correctlyThe Referee is satisfied that all of the above

are correct


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From the SO website in the forms folder you will

find this one page

Wording for DQ.

Recommend that this be laminated and on all clip boards for consistency.


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Here is an “Infraction Report” that can be used for DQ’s

This one can be found in the Swimming Canada Clinics folder in the Referee PDF File


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During the Session - ProtestsSTAY CALMVerbal Within 15 minutes of the end of the event Try to settle verbally or advise protestor to submit a written

protest

Written Within 30 minutes of end of the Event Record time of receipt and give to Meet Manager Wait for Jury of Appeal decision

Arranged by Meet Manager Odd number of people 3 or 5


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This form can be used for a Protest.

Found in the Swim Canada Website, Clinics

in the Referee PDF folder.


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During the Session - “Swim-Offs”

Referee arranges for “Swim-Offs”1 hour or more after all involved swimmers

have completed their heatCoaches may agree on a different time that is less

than one hour after all involved swimmers have completed their heat.

Use meet management to assist


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During the Session - Official Splits Coach requests it by completing time card and giving to Clerk of CourseClerk of Course notifies Referee and Chief Timekeeper Referee/Chief Timekeeper ensures 3 Timers for swimCompleted card goes to office


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End of Session

Walk around the pool (during the last few heats) and thank all officialsCheck with the office for any problemsBe available for de-briefing sessionLeave your heat sheet with meet managementProof all DQ’sCheck results


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Up the Ladder

Level I

Level II

Level III

Level IV

Level V

Get experienceGet a copy of the official DQ terminologyCreate your own “cheat sheet”Get Peer reviews


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Level I• Attendance and successful

completion of this clinic

• 2 satisfactory deck evaluations

Level I


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Level II• Certified Level I

• Completion of clinics and 2 deck evaluations in any 2 positions except Referee, one of which must be Strokes and Turns

Clerk of CourseChief TimerChief Finish Judge/ Chief Judge Electronics (1 signature must be CFJ)Stroke & Turn Judge/ Head Lane Timer (2 signatures)StarterMeet Manager

Level II


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Level III• Certified Level II

• Completion of all clinics and 2 deck evaluations in any 3 remaining positions

• Referee can not be used until level lll has been attained

• Conduct a Level I clinic

Level III


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Up the Ladder

Level I

Level II

Level III

Level IV

Level V

Levels IV and Vrequire …• additional clinics • intensive evaluation• National Meet experienceand much more.


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Useful WEB sites

www.swimontario.comwww.swimming.cawww.fina.orghttps://www.swimming.ca/Paraswimminghttp://www.mastersswimmingontario.ca/http://mymsc.ca/

http://www.fina.org/

https://www.swimming.ca/Paraswimming

https://www.swimming.ca/Paraswimming


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Referee QuestionnaireReview

30 minutes


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Referee - Questionnaire1. After you arrive at the pool to work as a referee, you

should:

a. Meet with the Meet Manager to discuss details of the session

b. Check with the Electronics operator to ensure the automatic placing and timing system is working properly

c. Check pool equipment (lane markers, starting blocks, etc.)d. Ensure that the pool temperature is within limitse. Ensure that pool chemistry is within limitsf. Ensure teams are in assigned areas on the deckg. Check officials’ assignmentsh. Meet with the major officials as well as the meet manager

to discuss pertinent information


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Referee - Questionnaire2. Final authority to approve the assignments of all officials

and to ensure that they are adequately briefed prior to a session lies with the:

a. Chief Timekeeperb. Chief Finish Judgec. Meet Managerd. Referee


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Referee - Questionnaire

3. The following officials shall be responsible for assigning duties to officials within their jurisdiction:

a. Chief Timekeeperb. Chief Finish Judgec. Meet Managerd. Refereee. Judge of Strokes, Inspector of Turnsf. Clerk of Course


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Referee - Questionnaire4. The SNC Rule book prescribes the minimum number of qualified officials

that are necessary for the proper running of a sanctioned meet. When there are insufficient volunteer officials available, the Referee may:

a. Double-up the duties of some officials, when such duties are not in conflict

b. Direct the Meet Manager to fill all vacancies with unqualified people

c. Request the Meet Manager to fill junior vacancies (Timekeeper, Marshall) with unqualified but capable people

d. Delay the start of the meet until sufficient officials are available


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5. The type of start to be used at a sanctioned meet shall be decided by:

a. The organizing committee and to be advised in the meet invitation

b. By the Refereec. By the Meet Managerd. Only one-start is permitted by SNC


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6. Which type of start may be used at sanctioned meets:

a. One startb. Two starts c. Three starts


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7. Disputes arising from the format and timing of the meet, the eligibility of swimmers, etc. shall be settled by the:

a. Refereeb. Meet Managerc. Head Coach of the host club


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8. Responsibility to ensure that the session starts on time lies with the:

a. Starterb. Refereec. Meet Managerd. Announcer


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9. On the Referee’s whistle for a dive start, the swimmers shall:

a. Step on to the surface of the starting platformb. Step on to the starting platform with both feet

the same distance from the front


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Referee - Questionnaire10. When the Referee has determined that the swimmers are ready

on the starting platform, he/she shall:

a. Blow a short whistle and stretch an arm horizontally down the pool until a fair start has been completed

b. Blow a short whistle and stretch an arm horizontally across the pool until a fair start has been completed

c. Stretch an arm horizontally down the pool and drop that arm after the command “Take your marks”

d. Stretch an arm horizontally down the pool and maintain that position until a fair start has been completed


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11. On the Starter’s command, swimmers shall:

a. Take a starting position with at least 1 foot at the front of the starting platform

b. Take at least 1 step forwardc. Assume their starting position and remain

stationary until the starting signal is given.


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12. On the Referee’s whistle for a backstroke start, the swimmers are required to:

a. Enter the pool in the acceptable mannerb. Return to the wall immediately and assume a

starting position after the 2nd whistlec. Enter the pool feet first


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13. In backstroke, the Referee shall blow a second long whistle when:

a. All swimmers have surfacedb. All swimmers have reached the wallc. All swimmers are 5 metres from the wall


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14. On the Referee’s second whistle in a backstroke start, the swimmers:

a. Will assume their starting position after a trial touch and turn

b. Shall return to the wall without delay and assume their starting position


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15. After he/she has turned the race over to the Starter and before a legal start has been achieved, the Referee:

a. May interfere with the Start and re-assume control of the race

b. Must leave control with the Starter until the race has begun


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16. A disqualification for “delay of meet” must be determined by:

a. Refereeb. Starterc. Meet Manager


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17. The following officials are authorized to call a “False Start”:

a. Chief Timekeeperb. Chief Finish Judgec. Starterd. Referee


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18. Disqualifications related to the start of a race should best be made by:

a. The Referee onlyb. The Starter onlyc. The Referee or Starter after consultation


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19. The following officials are authorized to disqualify a swimmer for rule violations after a legal start is achieved:

a. Starterb. Chief Timekeeperc. Refereed. Chief Finish Judgee. Judge of Strokes, Inspector of Turnsf. Relay Take-over Judge


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20. The Referee may:

a. Overrule a disqualification made by another official, even if he/she did not personally observe the alleged infraction

b. Disqualify a swimmer for a violation which the Referee did not personally observe but which was reported to him/her by the assigned official


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21. The following may disqualify a swimmer for a violation observed outside their assigned zone or jurisdiction:

a. Starterb. Judge of Strokes, Inspector of turnsc. Head Lane Timekeeperd. None of the above


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22. If two Judges of Strokes disagree about a potential rule violation, the dispute shall be resolved by the:

a. Meet Managerb. Official with the higher level badgec. Referee


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23. When Judges of Strokes or Inspectors of Turns disqualify a swimmer, they shall inform the following (verbally):

a. Refereeb. Announcerc. Chief Finish Judge d. Swimmer or Coach e. Recorder/Scorer


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24. The procedure by which disqualifications shall be reported during the meet should be determined by:

a. The Refereeb. The Chief Finish Judgec. The Meet Manager


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25. The legality of any touch shall be determined by the:

a. Refereeb. Inspector of Turnsc. Judge of Strokesd. Chief Inspector of Turns


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26. The Referee may:

a. Overrule the results of an SNC approved automatic placing and timing system if the system is believed to be in error

b. Direct the Chief Finish Judge to ignore automatic results and use manual backup times


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Referee - Questionnaire27. In a heat when both the primary timing system and the backup

timing system malfunction, the Referee shall:

a. Stop the race and swim it again laterb. Permit the race to proceed but award no official

times


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28. “Swim-Offs” are used to:

a. Break all tiesb. Resolve ties for the last qualifying place in Finals

(A) or Consolation (B) Finalsc. Resolve ties for first or second alternate positions

in Finals (A) or Consolation (B) Finals


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29. “Swim-Off” participants for qualifying places in finals/consolation finals/alternate positions shall be:

a. All the swimmers in the heat where the tie occurredb. The entire heat except disqualified swimmersc. Only those swimmers who were declared tied


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30. When a “Swim-Off” is required, it:

a. Must be conducted at least 45 minutes before the start of the Finals session

b. Should be conducted within 45 minutes of the posting of finals of the last event swum by any of the swimmers involved

c. May be swum at a time that is mutually acceptable to all involved swimmers

d. Shall be conducted not less than 1 hour after all involved swimmers have completed their heats


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31. When a swimmer is disadvantaged by an equipment failure or official’s error in a Final (other than a Time-Final), the following swimmers shall compete in a re-swim:

a. All swimmers in the heat, including those disqualified for any reason

b. All swimmers in the heat, excluding those disqualified for any reason

c. Only the swimmers who were disadvantaged d. Only swimmers who want to improve their time


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32. In the event of an assault (verbal or physical) of an official by a swimmer or by a team officer, the Referee has the authority to:

a. Order the offending party from the pool area for the duration of the meet

b. Impose a fine on the offending partyc. Do nothing except pacify the situation


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33. Disputes or verbal protests relating to the race or competition itself shall be received and settled by the:

a. Refereeb. Meet Managerc. Office Managerd. Chief Finish Judgee. Official with the highest level badge


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34. Written protests of decisions related to the race or competition itself shall be presented to the:

a. Clerk of Courseb. Refereec. Chief Finish Judged. Meet Manager


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35. Written protests of decisions related to the race or competition itself shall be received by the appropriate official within:

a. 15 minutes from the final non-resolution of the disputed decision (verbal protest) by the Referee

b. Within 30 minutes following the conclusion of the respective event

c. 30 minutes from the end of the session in which the dispute took place


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Any Questions?

Please bring your card up and I will sign the Referee

clinic line.


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Thank you

Approved by the Ontario Swimming Officials’ Association Board

referee the “boss”

Documents