THE WHITE SHIRTS

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Well run meets and good competitive results are directly related to good officiating. Thorough knowledge of the rules, coupled with fair and consistent application of them, make a good official. To confidently work on deck, a Stroke & Turn Judge must study the rules, attend annual training sessions and work regularly at meets.

The authority of Stroke/Turn/Relay Take-off Judges (like that of the Referee and Starter) to disqualify a swimmer makes these positions particularly important. To function properly, one dominant principle must prevail:

"Fairness to all competitors, giving the benefit of the doubt, in every instance, to the swimmer."

The rules of swimming define the acceptable form for each stroke. Many variations of form are possible and may still comply with the letter of the rules. Decisions regarding the form of strokes and turns must, therefore, be subject to flexible judgment and common sense. "Ugly isn’t necessarily illegal."