Bearden Middle School Swim Team

Non-Certified Positions

Head Timer

The Head Timer assures that all lanes have timers, working stop watches, clipboards, pencils, and timing cards. The Head Timer starts two watches on every race, and delivers a working watch to timers when their own watches fail. The Head Timer will meet with the lane timers before the start of a session in order to explain the duties of the timer and answer any questions. The Head Timer supervises lane timers during meets and signals to the Referee when Timers have cleared their watches.

Timers & Scribes

Lane timers are responsible for starting their watches at the Starter's signal, and stopping their watches when any part of the swimmer's body touches the wall at the finish. The watch time is then recorded by the Scribe on the entry card. Scribes hold up the cards after each heat so runner can pick up. Timer’s meetings are held just before the start of a session in order to explain the duties of the timer and answer any questions.

Relay Take Off Judge (JUMP JUDGE)

The Relay Take Off Judge ensures that a relay swimmer does not leave the starting platform before the preceding swimmer has touched the end of the pool.

Finish Judge

The Finish Judges stand at the end of pool and observe the end of the race. They help decide the order in which the swimmers finished the event. No technical knowledge of swimming is required, but it does require a keen ability to focus your attention for close races. Training or shadowing is recommended and happily provided.

Runner

The Runners are responsible for collecting the event cards from each Timer, Finish Judge slips from each finish judge, and the Overcall judge’s slip after each heat. The cards are then brought to the sorter at the scoring table. They are also responsible for collecting any disqualification (DQ) slips from the Stroke and Turn Judges and relay jump slips from the Relay Jump Judges and taking them to the Meet Referee for their signature. These cards are also taken to the sorter at the scoring table.

Sorter

The sorters are responsible for placing the event cards for each heat in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc. place order, according to KISL scoring rules. The sorter position requires some training, but it’s still an easy job!

Scorer

The Scorer takes event cards from the sorter, puts them on the score sheet and adds the points earned by each team in the appropriate total column. Scorers need to be able to add simple numbers quickly in their head, as they will be adding the score. The Scorer then gives the event cards to the Computer Entry person.

Certified Positions

Stroke and Turn Judge

The Stroke and turn Judge determines if each swimmer is swimming the stroke legally as defined by KISL Swimming rules. It is the responsibility of the Stroke and Turn Judge to disqualify any swimmer whose stroke, start, turn, or finish is illegal. The stroke and judge must be certified at a KISL officials training clinic and pass a written test. New stroke and turn judges will apprentice with a veteran before working a meet independently.

Referee

The Referee presides over the meet to see that the meet runs on time and is fair and safe for all swimmers. The Referee has the overall authority and responsibility for seeing that the competition complies with all of the appropriate rules and regulations. The referee resolves all questions related to the conduct of the swim meet and reviews any disqualifications before they are sent to the Scorer’s Table. The Referee must be certified by KISL.

Starter

The Starter ensures that all swimmers receive a fair and equitable start. The Starter works closely with the Referee and assumes responsibility for the start at the Referee's signal. The Starter steps the swimmers onto the starting blocks or into the water, directs the swimmers to "take their mark," and in conjunction with the referee, determines when a false start has occurred. The starter is also responsible for making sure that the starting equipment is in working order prior to the start of a session.