Why Become a USA Swimming Official?

1. To become more involved in an activity my child loves.

2. To help my child set and reach their personal goals.

3. To help DDST host swim meets.

4. To promote the good name and professional image of DDST by working at other team’s meets.

5. To have a front row seat at all the sessions I work.

6. To take advantage of the free food provided at meet hospitality rooms.

7. By working at least one session of a meet, meet expenses (hotel, meals, mileage, uniforms, etc.) are tax deductible.

Swim meets are more than just swimming. Working as an official provides you insight into how meets are organized, what the responsibility of each official is, and why a disqualification occurs. There are numerous officiating positions, each with a varying level of responsibility, so it’s easy to contribute in an area that’s right for you. While opportunities exist to work at every meet (both at home and away) there is no requirement to work, aside from insuring you satisfy your yearly sessions requirement as prescribed by USA Swimming. You decide when and at what meets you’d like to work – officiating is an all-volunteer effort. The financial success of DDST is directly related to the successful execution of our home meets, therefore your service as an official directly contributes to our team’s success. 

 

Steps to Becoming a USA Swimming Official

1. Register as a non-athlete member of USA Swimming

  • Form available HERE
  • Provide form to Dawn Melancon or drop in the team's black box at the pool
  • DDST pays your annual registration fee on passing the Official's exam

3. Attend a Stroke and Turn Clinic

4. Pass the online certification test on the USA Swimming website

  • Create a USA Swimming account
  • Take the online Stroke and Turn Judge test.
  • Print out a paper form of the test to prepare your answers. To do this start taking the test, save it (this will return you to the "Start an Online Test" screen), then print the blank test.
  • See a DDST official to borrow a current rule book or search online for "[YEAR] USA Swimming Rule book"

5. Apprentice six sessions at two different meets

  • Log your sessions and dates to keep track for verification

5. Take Athlete Protection Training (USA Swimming website)

6. Complete a Level 2 Background Check

  • DDST will reimburse your background check application fee

7. Notify Beth Neal that you have completed the requirements.