Skip to main content

How do I become a USA Swimming Official?

By

USA Swimming Officials clinic opportunity Sat. Dec. 15 @ Columbus Academy
1:30-4:30, cost is $6

The entry level position for Officiating is a Stroke & Turn Judge (Level 5) certification.
They are the officials standing at either end of the pool or walking along the side of the pool observing the swimmers to ensure that the technical rules of the individual strokes are being followed.  Progression from Stroke & Turn (S&T) includes the positions of Starter (Level 3) and Referee (Level 1).

What is required to be an official?
1.       You must become a non-athlete member of USA Swimming.  2013 annual membership cost $59.
2.       Complete the designated training program for the Stroke & Turn Judge position.
3.       Complete the background check required by USA Swimming. (Cost is $39).
4.       Complete the Athlete Protection Training (APT) required by USA Swimming (no cost involved).

What is involved in the Stroke & Turn Judge training program? 
1.       Attend a Certification Clinic (offered in the Spring and Fall).  At the clinic all steps to become an official will be explained to you.
2.       Complete Online Officials Tests covering stroke & turn/timer, clerk of course and timing judge on the USA Swimming website.
3.       Complete an apprenticeship of six sessions over two separate, sanctioned meets working with a certified official to gain knowledge of proper officiating protocol.

How do I get started?
1.       Talk to your swim coach, an official in your club, an OSI Commission Co-chair or the OSI Officials Chair for information on the steps you need to complete to become an official.
2.       Print and complete the USA Swimming non-athlete membership application found at the following link:       http://www.teamunify.com/czohlsc/UserFiles/Image/Forms/Registration%20Forms%20%20%20/2012/2012%20Non-Athlete%20App.pdf
3.       Mail the form and payment to the address on the application (check payable to Ohio Swimming Inc.)
4.       Go to the USA Swimming web site at www.usaswimming.org.  In the upper right hand corner of the web site, click on “sign in”.  You then need to create an account in order to be able to access the Background Check, official’s tests, etc.
5.       Initiate the Level 2 Background Check found at the following link: http://www.usaswimming.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabId=1678&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en
Complete the Athlete Protection Training found at the following link: http://www.usaswimming.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabId=2193&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Extra T-Shirts

By
The Pollock Family has donated about 60 t-shirts sporting the new team logo to our Booster Club. The shirts come in a variety of colors and sizes. Each family will have their chance to pick ONE shirt on Monday or Tuesday at practice. On Wednesday, any shirts remaining will be available to anyone. A donation to the booster club for your shirt is optional. The kids are now receiving their team t-shirts that were made exclusively for kids and coaches. Kast-A-Way has not yet printed our red t-shirts, if you would like to order one I suggest you call today. These shirts are being printed on a light weight t-shirt from Sport Tek.
199 comments
Read more

Athlete Committee

By
LOOKING FOR ATHLETE COMMITTEE MEMBERS! Get More Involved! TEAM REPRESENTATIVES:  PLEASE FORWARD TO YOUR ATHLETES! Dear OSI Athletes, You can make a difference in Ohio Swimming by joining the ATHLETE COMMITTEE The OSI Athlete Leadership is looking for athletes who are enthusiastic about swimming and are willing to get involved on the 'dry' side of swimming.  Athletes who are 14-years old or over will play an important part in the functions of Ohio Swimming by helping make the sport better for every athlete in Ohio. The more athlete participation we have, the bigger impact we can make! BONUS:  You can earn community service hours as you volunteer your time on the Athlete Committee and other OSI committees.  It also looks good on your resume for college! What does an Athlete Committee Member do? Interacts with athletes at swim events to find out what they would like im...
Post a Comment
Read more

Coach of the Year

By
Dear Coach, Hope this email finds you well and enjoying the summer. We are writing today on behalf of the upcoming feature film COACH OF THE YEAR: an independent, kid-friendly sports comedy feature film based on the inspiring true story of a rag tag swim team that tries to win a state championship…without a pool to practice in. Director Dave Stott, who has coached swimming for twenty years, hopes that with this film, we will entertain and inspire kids all over the country to learn to swim. Another goal of this film is to raise awareness about drowning as the leading cause of accidental deaths and to help kids all over the country learn to swim safely. The underdog story has been told before, but not for our sport. This is a movie for swimmers (and would-be swimmers), made by people who know the sport intimately and love it passionately, and we’d love for you to be involved. We wanted to ask you and your team to help spread the word about COACH OF THE YEAR, and get you & you...
Post a Comment
Read more