HOW TO BECOME AN USA SWIMMING OFFICIAL

Falfins Swimming is a member of Colorado Swimming and USA Swimming and our organization is always in need of volunteers that become a swim official.  Every meet there is a need for officials and our swimmers and coaching staff would like you to consider becoming an official.

If you’re unclear on the officiating program, here’s a quick overview:
·         Stroke & Turn (S&T) --  the white shirt officials judging swimmers in the water
·         Starter – starts each race
·         Deck Referee – blows the whistle and manages the real-time execution of the meet
·         Jr. Meet Referee – The lead official for swim meet with less than 300 swimmers – listed on the sanction.
·         Sr. Meet Referee – The lead official for swim meet with more than 300 swimmers or for a prelim-finals meet .·         Administrative Referee – Can replace the Meet Referee if needed and commonly used at national and prelim-finals championship meets – listed on the sanction paperwork
·         Administrative Official (AO) –  required at all meets to verify the results published by the Meet Manager operator.  This position can be a non-white shirt volunteer

NOTE 1: To progress from S&T to Starter and from Starter to Deck Referee requires at  least one-year in those respective positions

NOTE 2: the continual recruitment of S&T officials along with AO’s is the foundation for long-term sustainment of officiating volunteers at the meets you host and attend   

The requirements to become an S&T official are:
1.       Attend a New Officials Clinic
2.       Complete 24 Hours of On-Deck Training
3.       Register with USA Swimming (The fee is covered by the Falfins)
4.       Pass the On-Line Exam with an 80% (Open Book)
5.       Pass a Level-2 Background Check (The fee is covered by the Falfins)
6.       Complete the Athlete Protection Training
7.       Complete items 1 – 6 within 12 months of the clinic date

The Requirements to become an AO are:
1.       Attend an Admin Official  Clinic
2.       Complete a minimum of 2 sessions training at a swim meet - the at-meet training must be accomplished under the supervision of an Administrative Official with at least one year experience.
3.       Pass the open book “Certification – Administrative Official” exam (on the USA Swimming website) with a score of 80% or higher
4.       Register with USA Swimming (as an official) (This fee is reimbursed by the Falfins).
5.       Pass a Level-2 Background Check (This fee is reimbursed by the Falfins).
6.       Complete the Athlete Protection Training
7.       Complete items 1 – 7 within 6 months of the clinic date

If you are interested please contact our area Official Troy Brovold- [email protected] or [email protected]