Become an Official
Officials play a vital role in fair competition. Learn how you can get involved and make an impact on deck.
Benefits of Becoming an Official
- Help support an excellent sport for children and promote a healthy lifestyle for children.
- Gain a more thorough understanding of swimming in particular, and sports in general.
- Fulfill volunteer obligations at Club Meets.
- Get closer to the action; know what’s happening on deck with the “best seat” in the pool.
- Get mentally and physically engaged during the Meet rather than merely “spectating.”
- Be cooler on deck than in the stands.
- Receive free admission and great hospitality during sessions officiated.
Getting Started as a Stroke & Turn Judge
1. Training Clinic
- Attend a New Officials Training Clinic. The Illinois Swimming Officials Committee conducts Clinics periodically in various locations. Clinics occur in a classroom setting and include a practical pool session.
- Look for Clinics announced on the Illinois Swimming website and send in registration form in advance.
- Participate in a Clinic that requires about six hours and includes discussions and a USA Swimming produced video on judging strokes, turns, and relay take exchanges.
- Sponsor a Club Clinic: If a Club has persons interested in becoming Officials, to request a Clinic at the Club's preferred location, a Club representative contacts the officials committee at ilswimofficials@ilswim.org
NOTE: The Illinois Swimming Officials Committee provides a trainer and training materials, including a current Illinois Swimming Training Manual.
2. USA Swimming Test
- Complete USA Swimming's on-line, open book test. USA Swimming non-athlete membership is required to take this test.
3. On-Deck Training Sessions
- A Stroke and Turn Judge Training works a minimum of four sessions of at least two different Meets with USA Swimming certified Officials.
- A Trainee should contact the Meet Referee or Meet Director prior to the Meet for permission to attend as a Trainee and to ensure one-on-one mentoring.
- A Trainee must attend the Pre-Meet Officials Briefing, 45-60 minutes prior to the start of the Meet session (or at the time determined by the Meet Referee).
4. Other Expectations
- Age: Minimum of 18 years
- Attire: Solid navy blue skirt, shorts or pants, white collared shirt and white shoes.
- Attitude: Positive attitude, willingness to volunteer, and dedication.
5. Certification
- Occurs after successful completion of the Training Clinic, USA Swimming on-line test, and Training sessions
- Receives USA Swimming “Officials” Membership Card from Chair, Illinois Swimming Officials Committee.
After Certification as Stroke & Turn Judge
1. On Deck
- Welcomed and encouraged to volunteer any Meet they attend.
- Attend the Pre-Meet Officials Briefing, usually starting 45-60 minutes prior to the beginning of each Meet session or at the time established by the Meet Referee.
- Accept pool jurisdiction assigned by Meet Referee of his/her designee.
2. Annual Recertification
- Every two years attend an Illinois Swimming Recertification Clinic or take the USA Swimming online Recertification Test.
- Volunteer at a minimum of ten sessions per year.
3. Promotion
- Starter: After one year as a certified Stroke and Turn Judge and having volunteered to officiate at least twenty session, an Official may seek advancement to the USA Swimming certification as a Starter. Requirements include: attending a Starter Training Clinic; completing the on-line USA Swimming Starter test; and serving as a Trainee on-deck for 5 sessions of at least three different Meets.
- USA Swimming’s three levels of Certification
- LSC Certification: May officiate LSC level Meets, including LSC Championships
- N2- National Certification: May officiate Central Zone or Speedo Meets, etc.
- N3- National Championship Certification: May officiate National Championship Meets
- For the N2 and N3 Certifications, the positions of Stroke and Turn Judge, Starter, and DeckReferee, as well as Chief Judge, Administrative Referee, and Meet Referee are available
4. Fees
- Officials Training Clinic Fee - set by Illinois Swimming
- USA Swimming Annual Non-Athlete Member Registration
- Non-Athlete Membership Fee - set by USA-Swimming
- Registration after September 1 is valid through December of the following year.
- Membership includes:
- i. USA Swimming insurance.
- ii. USA Swimming Rule Book.
- Some Clubs reimburse participants for their Training Clinics, annual USA Swimming registration fees, and Re-Certification Clinics.
More Information
For information about becoming an Illinois Swimming Official, please contact the officials committee at ilswimofficials@ilswim.org or visit the Illinois Swimming Officials Page.
To learn more about joining NTA's talented pool of swimming officials, please contact our VP of Officials at officials@swimntsc.org
