How to Work the presentation

How to Work the presentation • Clicking the left mouse button will advance to the next statement or slide. • At the bottom left of the display are control buttons for the ‘full screen’ etc. • When in full screen, ESC will return to regular size • Begin presentation at Slide 2

The clinics should be taken in the following order: • Level 1 • Stroke and Turn • Chief Timekeeper • Clerk of Course • Chief Finish Judge • Recorder Scorer • Starter • Meet Manager

CHIEF TIMEKEEPER CLINIC

Chief Timekeeper Role • Position of Chief Timekeeper is very straightforward. • Accurate timing by team of Chief Timekeeper & Assistant is ESSENTIAL. • They must maintain constant check on accuracy & efficiency of Timekeepers.

Before the Meet • Arrive early — minimum one hour before start. • Check with Meet Manager; • What timing system is to be used, electronics, plungers, watches, or dolphin system. • Are there Stroke & Turn officials for each lane? • Arrange sign-out system for watches, if requested by Meet Manager. • Arrange ‘Watch Check’ with Referee & Starter. • Supplies during meet - batteries, clipboards, watches, pencils for Timekeepers on the deck.

Before the Meet • Discuss with Referee: • Are official times recorded on cards by Timekeepers? • Signals advising Referee of Timekeeper problems? (e.g.: card mix-up) • Is there a need to appoint relay take-over judges? • Who will be conducting the briefing for timekeepers, Referee or Chief Timekeeper?

Before the Meet • Special Procedures • Distance Events - two swimmers per lane? • Need extra Timekeepers, 25 metre Swim in 25 metre pool • Will swimmers move to turns end, or will Timekeepers move to turns end to take finish?

Before the Meet - Briefing • If the Chief Timekeeper is to conduct the briefing session and watch check with Timekeepers, it should be done 25-30 minutes before session start . • Introduce yourself, your assistant - explain your duties. • Ensure enough Timekeepers & arrange for more if required. • Identify new Timekeepers & ensure they work with experienced mentor Timekeepers. • Appoint relay take-over judges, if required: discuss position for observing relay takeover, procedure for reporting disqualification.

Before the Meet - Briefing • Designate Head Timekeeper - each lane.If you do not have a certified Inspector of Turns in each lane, arrange alternate coverage with the Referee. • Discuss operation of equipment to be used, watches, Dolphin System, or plungers. • Stress • the person that starts the watch MUST stop the watch. • DO NOT EXCHANGE A WATCH ONCE STARTED.

Before the Meet - Briefing Identification of swimmers. • Correct name on card - matches the swimmer in the water. • Correct heat - for heats, lane and heat number are located under “Heat”, • For timed finals or finals, lane numbers are located under “Finals • Relays - Swimmers swim in correct order.

Two examples of lane sheets on the right. • In event 26 there are seven heats. • Lane 4 has a swimmer in each of the seven heats. • Lane 8 has no swimmer in heat 1. • If a swimmer steps forward (in Lane 8) for this heat it is important that you ask the swimmer to wait for his assigned heat and/or signal to the chief timekeeper that there is a problem in your lane.

Splits: When - Every time the swimmer touches the wall. • How - Lean over the end of the pool and observe the touch. • Where to record them on the card • Far right side of the card and on the back if not enough room. • On distance events (800 and 1500), if you miss a split, put a line through the space where the split would have been recorded. • This will assist in keeping track of where swimmer is in race for Bell Lap.

Before the Meet - Briefing • Where to record times on Lane Sheets • Split times are recorded automatically when you push one of the buttons if semi automatic timing or dolphin wireless stopwatches are used. • If using watches, split times should be recorded on sheets provided.

Before the Meet - Briefing • Light touches when using electronics: • Swimmer does not touch the pad firmly enough to activate electronics. • Report to Chief Timekeeper or Assistant • Write “Light Touch” on time card.

Before the Meet - Briefing When, how to ring bells: 800/1500m events during session. In 25m pool: • 800m race - Ring bell at 750m – lap 30 • 1500m race - Ring bell at 1450m – lap58 In 50m pool: • For 800m race - Ring bell at 700m – lap 14 • For 1500m race - Ring bell at 1400m – lap 28 Ring bell over the right lane rope as swimmer approaches backstroke flags & continue until turn completed & swimmer has passed backstroke flags.

Before the Meet - Briefing • How does the Timekeeper signal for help when they have a problem? • Resetting of watches - on Referee’s first whistle to start next heat or as instructed by Chief Timekeeper. • Advise timekeepers to record times as fast as possible & prepare for next race. • Relays • The first leg of relays (50/100 splits) shall be timed by all timekeepers – as they are official times. • Ensure timekeepers know the relay take off rules, the Head Timekeeper is charged with this duty.

During the Meet SW 2.8.1The Chief Timekeeper shall assign the seating positions for all Timekeepers and the lanes for which they are responsible. There shall be three (3) Timekeepers for each lane. If Automatic Officiating Equipment is not used, there shall be two (2) additional Timekeepers designated, either of whom shall be directed to replace a Timekeeper whose watch did not start or stopped during an event, or who for any other reason is not able to record the time. When using three (3) digital watches per lane, final time and place is determined by time.

During the Meet CSW 2.8.1.1 When using less than three digital watches per lane, the final time and placing shall be determined by time. SW 1.2.3 - Where Automatic Officiating Equipment is not available, such equipment must be replaced by a Chief Timekeeper, three (3) Timekeepers per lane, and two (2) additional Timekeepers. • If only two (2) Timekeepers, then Chief Timekeeper or Assistant shall have their times recorded on time card - the first, or second place Age Group or PARA swimmer in the event could breaking a record the meet. • Extra Timekeepers are essential for large meets & helpful at all meets for relief.

During the Meet SW 2.8.2- The Chief Timekeeper shall collect from the timekeepers in each lane a card showing the time recorded and, if necessary, inspect their watches. • Assign runner to collect cards. • Survey first one or two heats to ensure times are recorded properly, & in proper places. (splits, timed finals, heats, etc.)

During the Meet SW 2.8.3- The Chief Timekeeper shall record or examine the official time on the card for each lane. • Official times are normally put on cards by Chief Finish Judge. • If electronics are used - times are taken from official electronics printout by Chief Finish Judge. • Times obtained from watches, plungers, or dolphin wireless systems (without electronics), are considered Manual Time.

Records CSW 12.18.3 - Record swims shall be timed and recorded by an Automatic Officiating Equipment system or by three (3) timekeepers. • A RECORD requires THREE (3) watches. Chief Timekeeper or Assistant should always have their times recorded on the card of the first and second place swimmers if only two (2) Timekeepers.

Records CSW 12.18.4 - A time achieved while swimming the first “leg” of a relay, or while swimming any part of an individualevent with an electronic timing system start, may count as a record. For a split time to count as a record, the swimmer must legally complete the full distance of the event or “leg” of the relay, and the official time, for the individual event, shall be equal to or better than the qualifying time for the event. ( See also SW 12.10 and SW 12.11 ). • ‘Official Split’ - An extra card attached to normal card requesting an “Official Split”. Referee should advise you & arrangements made to time the 50 metre end. official split

Chief TimekeeperSummary • Evaluate and arrange mentoring of Timekeepers. • Move Timekeepers from lane with no swimmer to lane where timekeepers did not get start on their watch. • Solve ongoing problems in your area of responsibility.

Summary • Signal Referee if something goes wrong in your area that needs fixing & requires meet to stop. • Take time of heat winner of each race or other lanes as required. • Supervise all Timekeepers. • Check times accurate by observing recorded times. • Check Head Lane Timekeeper recording information in the correct place on cards. • Have your time recorded if required for a third time, or if a Timekeeper's time not right. • Chief Timekeeper’s time is a diplomatic way to supervise every lane & observe times are accurate. • Chief Timekeeper’s time not used when three (3) good times are recorded.

Chief TimekeeperAfter the Meet • Sign record applications. • Ensure all watches returned, shut off, & stored properly. Those not working are marked & brought to the attention of the Meet Manager. • Return watches to office or Meet Manager.

Chief Timekeeper - Situation # 1 Timekeeper 2 in Lane 5 consistently records times that are 0.40 to 0.60 faster than the other 2 Timekeepers. • Observe Timekeeper working. Are they attentive, starting & stopping watch properly? If everything appears normal give them another watch - explain the problem. USE A LOT OF DIPLOMACY. If nothing appears to work, move them to another position. (assist the Chief Finish Judge or Marshall, etc.). • Review correct procedure for taking splits/finishes. Is Timekeeper starting watch by sound of start device instead of flash? Is the Timekeeper anticipating finish? Make sure Timekeeper is watching wall, not the swimmer. Be in proper position to observe touch.

Chief Timekeeper Situation # 2 The Timekeepers in Lane 4 are all inexperienced. • Move one of the inexperienced timekeepers and replace with an experienced Timekeeper from another lane.

Chief Timekeeper - Situation # 3 Timekeeper 1 in Lane 3 takes split times seated in her chair. • Advise Timekeeper of importance of observing the touch. Time recorded is not correct unless the touch is observed from the correct position. • Review the correct position for taking splits • standing over the lane observing the touch.

Chief Timekeeper - Situation # 4 Timekeeper 1 in Lane 4 is a qualified Inspector of Turns. He is trying to take splits & judge turns at the same time. • Ask one of the other Timekeepers to take splits & explain that the two jobs don’t work together because both require his attention at the same time.

Chief Timekeeper - Situation # 5 All three Timekeepers in Lane 6 are recording times that are inconsistent with electronic results. • Observe the Timekeepers working: • Are they attentive? • Are they starting & stopping watches correctly? • There may be a faulty touch pad, advise Referee of concern.

Chief Timekeeper - Situation # 6 After the start, three Timekeepers raise their hands. They have missed the start. • Are they all in the same lane? • If so, are there any lanes with no swimmers? • If you have empty lanes, move the Timekeepers in the lane with the problem. • If no empty lanes, no extra Timekeepers • Chief Timekeeper or Assistant can take a time. REMEMBER IF YOU START THE WATCH, YOU MUST STOP THAT WATCH!!

Chief Timekeeper - Situation # 7 The Referee has blown his whistle to signal the start of the next heat. Timekeepers in Lane 2 raise their hands. • There is a problem in Lane 2. • Use prearranged signal with Referee to hold start. • Do not let the race start with a problem among your Timekeepers. • Make sure it is an important problem (e.g. card mix-up). • do not hold the start for a minor problem. • The Timekeepers must try to come up to the speed the Referee requires.

Chief Timekeeper - Situation # 8 Determine the official times for the following: Lane Chief Timer Timer 1 Timer 2 Timer 3 1 1:09.48 1:09.70 2 1:11.92 1:11.95 3 1:07.15 1:07.15 1:07.10 4 1:05.67 1:05.61 1:05.67 1:05.60 5 1:07.41 1:07.31 1:07.91 6 1:10.24 1:10.25 1:10.23 Official Time 1:09.59 1:11.93 1:07.15 1:05.61 1:07.41 1:10.24

Chief Timekeeper Questionnaire • Before the start of a meet the Chief Timekeeper shall: • Check that all watches are in good working order; • Issue watches to timekeepers; • Brief timekeepers regarding their duties; • Assign an individual to each lane to judge relay takeovers; • Assign Head Lane timekeepers; • Issue bells (where appropriate); • Arrange with the Starter to conduct a “watch check”; • Establish working signals with the Referee.

The Chief Timekeeper shall: • Take the finish time of the winner of each heat; • Position himself so that he can observe the finish of each heat; • Make his own tabulation of the order of finish of each heat; • Disqualify swimmers for turn infractions which he observes; • Signal all Timekeepers to clear and reset their watches; • Check all recorded times of the winner of each heat; • Affix his time, when necessary, on the time card of the winner of a heat or final; • Satisfy himself that all timekeepers are competent; • Tabulate lengths completed in long distance races

Cont’d j. Have the authority to disqualify; k. Have one or two Assistants l. Have the authority to over-rule an automatic time and replace it with a manual time; m.Have extra watches/batteries available; n. Assign timekeepers to take split or record-attempt times; o. Start at least two watches for each race; p. Examine all the time cards; q. Ensure that at least one extra watch is started for each race. r. Alert the HLT and/or timekeepers to location of times and signatures when meet has both preliminary and time final events.

3. In long distance events when there is a bell-lap, the Chief Timekeeper shall: a. delegate responsibility for tabulating lengths and ringing the bell to each Head Lane Timekeeper; b. verify the tabulation of completed lengths with the assigned Lane Timekeeper and Referee before authorizing the bell to be rung.

4. When an automatic judging and timing system with electronic touch-pads is in use: • it is necessary to have a full complement of Lane Timekeepers on duty unless another approved backup system is available; • it is necessary to have a full complement of Lane Timekeepers on standby in the officials' room, in the event of a malfunction; • the Lane Timekeeper will transcribe the automatic times onto the time cards.

5. In developmental meets, the minimum number of Timekeepers that should be assigned to each working lane of the pool is: a. two; b. one; c. three; d. three in any integrated meet where a swimmer with a disability is in the lane.

6. The following times were measured on manually operated digital watches. Determine the official times for each swim: A B C a. 1:01.32 1:01.39 1:01.43 b. 1:10.67 1:10.89 c. 4:03.47 4:03.26 4:03.54 d. 1:00.03 59.95 e. 2:12.04 2:12.15 2:12.04 f. 2:21.34 2:20.97 g. 4:18.07 4:18.42 Official Time 1:01.39 1:10.78 4:03.47 59.99 2:12.04 2:21.15 4:18.24

7. The Chief Timekeeper shall instruct the Head Lane Timekeeper to ensure that: a. the correct swimmer is in his assigned lane; b. the correct time card is being used; c. the correct times are being read and recorded; d. all times are recorded to 100ths of a second; e. in manually timed meets, official times are correctly calculated and recorded (when so directed); f. preliminary, final and split times are recorded on the time card, as directed; g. in Relay events the swimmers compete in the correct order.

8. The Chief Timekeeper should instruct the Head Lane Timekeepers to ensure that: a. one timekeeper is assigned to take split times; b. the Chief Finish Judge is informed in the appropriate manner if a swimmer fails to touch the touch-pad or touches it lightly; c. relay take-over infractions are reported to the Referee; d. a swimmer's manual backup times are adjusted to agree with the automatic times.

9. During a short course relay, an official split is taken: a. by all timekeepers assigned to a lane; b. at the completion of the first leg of a 4 x 50 m relay; c. at the completion of each swimmer's leg of the relay; d. at the end of the first leg of a 4 x 100 m relay.

10. In a manually timed meet, long course, an official split at 50m of a 200 m relay event is taken: a. by having all timekeepers move to the 50 m end of the pool for the start of each heat, then return to the finish end for the remainder of the meet; b. when there are sufficient timekeepers and watches to staff both ends of the meet; c. when a coach requests an official split and there are sufficient timekeepers and watches to staff the lane(s) in question;

If the course is given by an Instructor; • Complete the ‘Officials Certification Form’, attach and send to the email address on the form. • When you have finished the online course: • Complete the ‘Online Certification Form’ and attach, and send email to the address on the form. • forms are located at, • http://www.swimalberta.ca/officials/officials-forms.htm

Thank you. We would like to acknowledge the initial work on the power point presentation done by Swim Ontario and Swim Alberta

How to Work the presentation