We are excited you’ve decided to advance to the Deck Referee position with Illinois Swimming and USA Swimming.
We’ve created a short checklist for you, with links, with everything you need to become a Deck Referee.
The training is designed to work in steps, with each building on the last. It is best to do the training in the recommended order of steps to get the full benefit.
This page is the home of the details about each of those steps, and we suggest reading it before getting started.
As a reminder, when an official advances to a Referee certification, it does not necessarily mean you are ready to be a Meet Referee. Please keep this in mind when working with your team to sanction meets.
PREREQUISITES FOR BEING A DECK REFEREE
Before training as a Deck Referee, you must have been a certified Stroke & Turn, Administrative Official and Starter Official, before attending the deck referee clinic.
You must also be a non-athlete member in good standing, including a current Background Check, APT and completed Concussion Training.
For a comprehensive overview of the requirements see the Illinois Swimming Officials Training and Certification Standards
REGISTER FOR ONLINE LEARNING
Deck Referee online learning takes roughly 3 and one-half hours. It is a live webinar hosted by an experienced Illinois Swimming Official who will walk you through being a Deck Referee. Select any webinar you can attend on the Training Information page.
ONLINE EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Before attending the online clinic, you MUST complete the educational videos for the Deck Referee Certification. Shortly after registering for the online learning webinar, you will be sent a link to an online classroom hosted by EdPuzzle (click here for a "how-to" register for EdPuzzle). Once you create an account you will find 2 short videos (they total about 40 minutes in total length). Complete each of the units BEFORE you attend the training webinar.
**Please note, that registrations are processed by volunteers on a weekly basis. You may not receive an immediate registration response.
ATTEND THE ONLINE TRAINING WEBINAR
Whatever training webinar you signed up for, please log in and attend. During this webinar, the experienced Illinois Swimming Official will guide a conversation through the rules, judging, and certification. This will prepare you for your on-deck training. Bring your questions – they will be answered!
Download these materials prior to the webinar: Deck Referee Training Materials
Technical issues about attending a Zoom Meeting are covered HERE.
If you have any trouble with the webinar please email the Officials Clinic Team.
ONLINE TESTING
To make sure everyone knows the rules, USA Swimming requires the completion of the Deck Referee test. It is an open book test, and we recommend you print the test and then go back and re-enter the answers. Since it is linked to your USA Swimming online account, the test will be the same when you log back in. It is an open book test, requiring the current USA Swimming Rule Book. You must pass with a score of 80% or better. The test can be completed during any point of the training process.
ON-DECK TRAINING
Once you’ve completed your clinic training and registration requirements, you’re ready to start your on-deck training. You will need to bring a copy of the on-deck training form to be completed by your trainer. The forms are available online here.
On-deck training consists of 4 sessions (with a completed card for each) completed over 2 meets and with at least 2 different trainers who have been certified Referees for a minimum of 24 months. The sessions must be at least three hours in length, all four strokes must be contested and have 25 or more heats. We suggest you come prepared to run the sessions Officials Meeting, to include:
- Delivery of the stroke briefing
- Assignment of Officials on deck
- Jurisdiction of Officials
- General LSC Announcements
The complete guidelines are available at Illinois Swimming Officials Training and Certification Standards.
SUBMIT YOUR MATERIALS FOR CERTIFICATION
Once your training sessions are complete and you’ve completed your online test, email to: [email protected]
1.Certification Requirements Checklist Form for your position
2.Your 4 training evaluation sheets
Once processed, you’ll receive an email response when your certification is reviewed and approved! Congratulations, you’re a Referee!
QUESTIONS?
Questions for the Committee? Questions about Officiating? Contact [email protected].
***Please allow a few days for a response as the mailbox is staffed by volunteers.
