1. Stroke judges must be specifically trained and certified by RMSL to be eligible to
work as a stroke judge at any RMSL meets. Training clinics are held by the RMSL in April and May before the start of the swimming season.

2. New stroke judges must attend a Beginner Stroke Judge Clinic to be certified by RMSL.

3. Returning Stroke Judges must attend a Refresher Stroke Judge Clinic at least every other year. Returning stroke judges who attended a training clinic in the previous season are eligible to apply for an exemption, to avoid attending a clinic in the current year. Notify a Parent Rep of your desire to apply for an exemption.

4. Returning Stroke Judges who were granted an exemption in the previous year MUST attend a stroke judge clinic in the current season to be certified by RMSL.

5. Only Stroke Judges with at least one previous season of experience as a certified RMSL Stroke Judge are eligible to work at Prelims or Finals. First year Stroke Judges may NOT work at Prelims or Finals.

6. A minimum of two stroke judges should be provided from each team for each shift of the meet. There must be the same number of stroke judges on each side of the pool. Lane jurisdiction shall be determined by the Referee/Starter.

7. Stroke Judges assure proper execution of strokes and turns by swimmers as described in the current USA Swimming Rules Manual.

8. Stroke Judges report any violation to the Starter/Referee by raising a hand and indicating the lane where violation took place. This should be done whenever possible so as not to get the attention of the swimmer. If the official does not do so, there is no penalty. Make sure the Starter/Referee acknowledges the DQ signal. It is the duty of the Starter/Referee to summarize DQs at the end of the race visually and/or vocally.

9. The Stroke Judges must note the nature of DQ on the swimmer’s event card and sign the card. A failure to sign an event card is grounds for reversal of the DQ.

10. If there is a question on the disqualification, the benefit should go to the swimmer. When an infraction occurs on a stroke, the judge should “consider” the repetitiveness of the infraction, and if the swimmer gained an advantage.

11. Stroke Judges can request that timers hold DQ’d swimmers at end of an event so that the Judge can explain nature of DQ to the swimmer.

There are currently no posts in this category.