OFFICIAL'S Corner
SCY Officials' Coordinator: Bob Donnelly ([email protected])
How to become a YMCA or USA Official
Our current Officials (updated 1/22/2024)
2023 Official training classes
2023 USA Official Training Classes
How to print your YMCA Officials Card
Officials' Toolbox
- Record of Meet Experience
- Current SCY Officials (updated 1/22/2024)
- USA Officials Registration Information
- MEDLEY RULE CHANGE
Meet Specific Documents
- Officials Deck Assignments (8 lanes)
- Deck Referee & Starter Guidelines
- Recommended Stroke Briefing
- Swimming Recommended Stroke and Turn Jurisdiction
- Checklist for Timers Meeting
- USA Swimming 2022 rule book
- DQ Slip - USA Swimming
Official's Notebook
- Deck Referee and Starter Guidelines
- Why should I become an official?
- We cannot run meets without officials.
- There is no pay, but there is no entry fee into the meet.
- Free meet program and free food during the meet.
- You can keep in contact with your swimmer.
- New friends, old friends, it’s a great way to socialize.
- It’s the best “seat” in the house!
How do I become an official?
YMCA Swimming Official
Level 1 Certification
You will need to attend a YMCA official’s certification clinic. The course is designed to certify Swim Officials in the areas of Stroke and Turn Judge, Relay Take-off judge, Place Judge and Timer. You will then need to take the test (online test with open rulebook) and get on deck as much as possible for experience. Recertify every three years (one year with minimum 8 sessions if you wish to progress to Level 2 certification). Minimum age is 21 and you must be associated with a YMCA sponsored Swim Team. Proof of sessions worked is required for recertification.
Level 2 Certification
You will need to attend a YMCA official Level 2 certification clinic. The course is designed to certify Swim Officials in the areas of Chief Judge, Starter and Referee. To become Level 2 certified you MUST have completed at least one year as a Level 1 certified official and officiated a minimum of 8 sessions as a certified YMCA Swim Official. You will need to take the test (online test with open rulebook). Recertify every three years. Minimum number of sessions required for recertification is 12. Proof of sessions worked is required.
YMCA officials are expected to work a minimum of three dual meets a year and be available to work YMCA Invitational meets in which their swimmer is participating, including YMCA Championship Meets.
Officials at YMCA meets are required to be certified YMCA officials and officials at USA Swimming are required to be USA Swimming certified. Although YMCA swimming adopted the USA Swimming technical rules on September 1, 2006 USA Swimming certified officials will not automatically become YMCA officials nor vice versa. (See below for clarification)
USA Swimming Official
Attend a Stroke &Turn training clinic. This can be a USA-S or YMCA course; however, only YMCA courses (Level 1 or 2) listed on the NJ Swim web site can be substituted for a USA-S course. You will need to take the test (online with open rulebook) for that position. This can be either the YMCA or USA-S test so that duplication will not be required. In addition, if the Y test is taken in conjunction with a Y course, this course must be listed on the NJ Swim web site.
- Be a member of USA Swimming
- Be at least 18 years old
Upon completion of the above, a New Jersey Swimming apprentice official’s card will be issued. The apprentice will be required to participate in a total of four (4) sessions in at least two (2) different meets at NJ Swimming sanctioned meets. Participation at championship meets will not count towards your apprenticeship qualification. Championship meets are defined as JO’s, Junior States, Senior Champs, and Holiday Classic. This participation will involve working with a certified stroke & turn judge or higher. The apprentice may not make calls or disqualifications but will accompany the experienced official during the meet as a training session. The referee should sign the back of the apprentice card for each complete session at which the apprentice worked.
Upon completion of the four apprentice sessions, send a photocopy of both side of the apprentice official’s card to the New Jersey Swimming Certification Coordinator. An updated New Jersey Swimming official’s certification card will be issued and sent along with a "New Jersey Swimming Official" patch.
- Recertify every 3 years.
Need more info?
Contact our Officials' Coordinator Bob Donnelly at [email protected]
