DUTIES OF THE STARTER:

 

1.      General

  1. Assure a fair start
  2. Conduct a timely meet
  3. Act as take off judge

 

2.      Preparation

  1. Become familiar with the starting device and make sure that it is working and fully charged.
  2. Work with the referee – know how he wants to handle false starts and other duties
  3. Know the order of events – number of heats – number of swimmers expected in each heat - when timers need to change
    ends – where stroke and turn are going to stand on your side of the pool (you need to be sure they as well as coaches or
    swimmers do not block the timers from seeing the strobe).

 

3.      Starting

  1. The starter will be supplied with an electric starting system.  However a .22 caliber or larger starting pistol, airhorn or other
    approved starting device can be used.  The starter shall take a position within 10 feet of the starting edge of the pool where
    the timers can see the strobe light of the starting system or the gun blast.
  2. On receiving the clearance from the referee, the starter assumes full control of the swimmers until a fair start has been achieved.
    The objective is to get the swimmers on the blocks in a timely manner, relax the swimmers as much as possible and focus them
    on the race.  To accomplish this the swimmers need to know what to expect when they get to the blocks.  The starter needs to
    follow the same procedure for every heat of every event.  To relax the swimmers the starter must use a calm clear voice to announce
    the events and give the commands.  The starter does NOT use voice inflexions or changes in volume to give the starting commands. 
    If you think that you can not be heard, stand the swimmer up and ask for quiet for the start.

c.       Starting sequence for forward starts:

1.      When the last swimmer of the previous heat has finished the race, the starter announces the
EVENT NUMBER, HEAT NUMBER, BOYS/GIRLS, YARDAGE AND STROKE.  Then tells the swimmers
to step up. (The referee will make sure that the timers are ready and that the pool is clear).

2.      When the referee is ready to proceed, he/she will blow the whistle and turn the heat over to the starter.  The starter
will then state the yardage, stroke and number of lengths.

3.      The starter then tells the swimmers to “take your mark”.

4.      After all the swimmers assume and hold their starting positions and after a short hesitation, the starter initiates the
starting system.

5.      Example:  The last swimmer of heat 5 finishes the race.  The starter says:

a.       “Event 15, Heat 6, boys, 25 yard freestyle, step up”

b.      The referee blows the whistle

c.        “25 yard freestyle, one length of the pool”

d.      “Take your mark”

e.       Initiates the starting system

6.      Swimmers do not have to use the blocks.  They may initiate the forward start from the deck beside the starting block
or in the water with some part of the body touching the wall.  However, they must remain motionless before the start.

 

d.      Starting sequence for backward starts:

1.       When the last swimmer of the previous heat has finished the race, the starter announces the EVENT NUMBER,
HEAT NUMBER, BOYS/GIRLS, YARDAGE AND STROKE.  Then tells the swimmers to step in. (The
referee will make sure that the timers are ready and that the pool is clear).

2.      When you think the referee is close to being ready, tell the swimmers to place their feet.  Their toes must be below
the surface of the water.  Standing in or on the gutter or curling the toes over the lip of the gutter is not permitted at
any time before or after the start.  Once all the swimmers have their feet below the surface of the water the referee
will be ready to proceed.

3.      When the referee is ready to proceed, he/she will blow the whistle and turn the heat over to the starter.  The starter
will then state the yardage, stroke and number of lengths.

4.      The starter then tells the swimmers to “take your mark”.

5.      After all swimmers assume and hold their starting positions and after a short hesitation the starter initiates the starting system.

6.      Example:  The last swimmer of heat 1 finishes the race.  The starter says:

a.       “Event 35, Heat 2, boys, 25 yard backstroke, step in”

b.      “Place your feet”

c.       The referee blows the whistle

d.       “25 yard backstroke, one length of the pool”

e.       “Take your mark”

f.        Initiates the starting system.

 

4.      False Starts

  1. When a swimmer does not respond promptly to the command “take your mark” or does not hold the starting position, or
    enters the pool before the starting signal is given, the starter shall immediately release all swimmers with the command “stand up”
    upon which the swimmers may stand up.  If you need to go talk to the referee tell the swimmers to “step down” from the blocks. 
    Any swimmer who enters the water or backstroker who leaves the starting area shall be charged with a false start, except that 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
    swimmer’s reaction to the command.
  2. All swimmers leaving their marks before the starting signal is given shall be charge with a false start, except that a swimmer who has
    false started because of the action or movement of another competitor may be relieved of the responsibility for the false start and a
    false start may be charged only to the offender.
  3. In backstroke or medley relay events a false start may be charged to any swimmer who fails to maintain his/her feet in a legal position
    after the first warning.
  4. When the starting signal is given and one or more swimmers have obtained as unfair advantage, all swimmers shall be recalled at once
    by a second signal or a recall rope.  The starter will also give the recall signal, when the referee observes a false start and he/she blows
    their whistle indicating an infraction.
  5. A swimmer can be can be charge with a false start by the starter only if the referee or an officially designated assistant referee has
    observed the violation and confirms that the violation has occurred.
  6. The starter shall indicate the swimmer or swimmers, if any who are charged with a false start.
  7. Any swimmer who is charged with committing or causing two false starts shall be disqualified and shall not be permitted to swim the event.

h.       A swimmer shall not be disqualified for an illegal starting position at the start or charged with a false start if the race is permitted to
proceed without recall.

i.         When standing the swimmer up give them a reason such as:

1        Quiet for the start

2        Respond immediately to the command

3        Respond immediately to the command and hold your position.

 

5.      Hearing Impaired Signals

1        Arm overhead – swimmer steps onto the starting block / enters the water

2        Arm moves to shoulder level – signal to “take your mark”

3        Arm moves to side of the body – starting signal

 

6.      Take-off Judge:

  1. The starter and referee will serve as relay take-off judges at the starting end of the pool.
  2. The starter will observe that when the next swimmer’s feet leave the starting block that the swimmer already in the water has touched.

 

 

 

Contacts:

 

Gary Hild, 372-6786, ebenziohild@juno.com, RSL Officials Training