Need Observers for Pitt Invitational on Nov 21-23

Pitt has requested that we provide observers for their upcoming Pitt Invite being held at Trees Pool on 11/21-23. As you know, in order for their swimmers' times to be entered into the SWIMS database, the meet must be observed by USA Swimming Officials.

We need at least 2 observers for each session (prelims and finals each day). It should be a really fun and fast meet. If you've never attended a college meet, they have a much different feel to them than a USA Swimming meet.

The available sessions are as follows:

Friday November 21

Prelims 10am – 12:30pm ish

Finals  6:00pm – 9pm  (actually 6:25 start swimming…diving is first)

Saturday November 22

Prelims 10am – 12:30pm ish

Finals  6:00pm – 9pm  (actually 6:25 start swimming…diving is first)

Sunday November 23

Prelims 9am – 11am ish

Heats of 1650 – approx. 1-2pm

Finals  3:00pm – 5pm 

Below is a link to a spreadsheet to sign up for the various sessions. I'm not sure what the limit will be per session but sign up and we'll work with Pitt to figure out the number. I'm thinking 4 observers per session would be ideal. You won't be officiating in the traditional sense but will merely observe, especially necessary for events where NCAA and USA Swimming rules vary slightly.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tCeqx0dsUHxN2a-FMXW7IQ-Zlm7WuKqnTTCl0aL7U2A/edit?usp=sharing

Pitt and the other participating teams will really appreciate our support.

AMS Officials Launches its New Website!

AMS Officials, we now have our own website!

Like several other TeamUnify LSC's, we now have our own website to provide important resources and information to our AMS Officials. Take a look and let us know what you think. Go to www.amswim-officials.org and enjoy. The site can also be accessed from the AMS website by clicking on the "Officials" tab. You'll be redirected to our new site.

It is a work in progress. As the Officials Committee continues its work on providing a myriad of resources and tools to our officials, it will be added to the site. If there's anything you believe would be valuable to have as an online resource, let me know. 

We'll continue to use our blog as a great way to communicate with our officials about rules and process, news, share interesting officiating tidbits or just spread nasty rumors about your fellow officials.

Important Changes Arising out of the 2014 US Aquatic Sports Comvention

In September 2014, USA Swimming had its annual convention. I wanted to pass along a few items of interest...

• USA Swimming will be creating a new level national level meet called the Legend Series. It was noted that there was a significant gap between the qualifying times for the Super Sectional meets and Junior Nationals and wanted to create something in between. The Series will be held in the summer and should begin in 2015. These meets will likely be Officials Qualifying Meets and will allow more opportunity for officials to work on a national level deck.
• FINA is once again trying to change the rule related to the optional butterfly kick permitted at the start and after each turn of the breaststroke. Their proposed wording is nearly identical to the High School rule in that a swimmer will be allowed to optionally take a single butterfly kick at any time prior to the first breaststroke kick after the start and each turn. This would eliminate the need for a horizontal separation of te hands prior to allowing this butterfly kick. If passed by FINA, it will be adopted by USAS.
• There were some allowances in permitting deck changing by swimmers. This has now been eliminated and, effective January 1, 2015, there will be no deck changing under any circumstance.
• It appears that we're just a few months away from the allowance of a backstroke wedge/ledge. If you don't know what this is, google an image of the wedge/ledge. It gives the swimmer a better grip on the wall with their feet to launch off with. This will likely be allowed after Winter Nationals in December. Stay tuned!

These are the highlights of some of the changes that will have impact on us as officials.

Application to Officiate - 2014 Christmas Meet (QM14-146)

With the start of the new Short Course season, we look ahead toward December where the 2014 Christmas Meet Invitational will once again be a Officials Qualifying Meet (QM14-146). As you know, this is a very large, fast meet with swimmers coming from other LSC's to compete in a fast pool against fast competition. 

We need as many officials on deck as we can as the meet is run at both ends of the pool. Please indicate your availability to officiate by completing the Application to Officiate (click here). You can also indicate your desire to become nationally certified (or recertify). This year, we're pleased to be bringing Bob Griffiths as our National Evaluator. Bob is a member of the USA Swimming National Officials Committee and is well known in swimming circles across the country. Scott Wilshire will also be an Evaluator.

We look forward to seeing you at the Christmas Meet at Pitt (and many meets leading up to this meet)!

New AMS Officials website

Coming VERY soon! 

Look for the launch of our new AMS Officials website! We will unveil our new site in the coming day or two, if all goes according to plan. Details to follow!

NEW REQUIREMENT for Referees, Starters & Chief Judges

The following policy was adopted by the AMS Officials Committee at the September 8, 2014 meeting...

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania passed into law, effective July 1, 2012, legislation that provides better monitoring of concussions in PA’s interscholastic athletes. Among other things, the legislation mandates that coaches must complete a concussion management certification training course offered by an approved provider.

In some other states, including Ohio, their legislation requires that an individual who referees interscholastic athletic contests must have completed within the last three years a training program in concussion recognition.

The Allegheny Mountain Swimming Officials Committee recognizes that concussions happen in athletic competition and that it is important that Officials be trained in concussion awareness. As a result, all AMS Referees, Starters and Chief Judges must complete, as a requirement of their certification, an approved online concussion education course. This certification will be valid from three years from the date of completion. This requirement must be completed by December 31, 2014. After 12/31/14, an AMS Official will not be allowed to function as a Referee, Starter and/or Chief Judge without this certification.

The AMS Officials Committee strongly encourages all of its certified officials to complete the online concussion education course but it is not required.

The following free online training courses have been approved by the AMS Officials Committee for its Referees, Starters and Chief Judges:

National Federation of State High School Associations Concussion in Sports - http://www.nfhslearn.com/electiveDetail.aspx?courseID=38000 

Click the “order here” button, and complete a brief registration form to take the course. Follow these steps to complete the course:

1.  *   Click on the button that says “Please Login to Order.” In the window that appears, click “Register Now.”

2.    * When your registration is complete, you may "order" the free concussion course offered along the left-hand side of the page. Continue following prompts. Although it may look like you will be charged for the course, there is no cost.

3.    * Once you've completed "Checkout," you will be able to take the free online course.

4.    * When you have completed and passed the course, you have the option of printing a certificate of completion.

5.    All AMS Officials should select this option to print, retain a copy of the certificate and carry it with them to all meets.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Heads Up Concussion in Youth Sports 

http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/online_training.html

Once you have completed your training, please forward a scanned copy of your certificate of completion to Bob Mermelstein, AMS Officials Chair at bob.mermelstein@gmail.com

Preparing for the Short Course season...Part 2

As we march toward the beginning of the Short Course season, it's a good idea to refresh our understanding of the technical rules of swimming promulgated by USA Swimming. Since most of us have been off deck for over a month (with nearly another month to go), it's easy to get rusty.

Last week, we reviewed the butterfly stroke. Today, let's move on to breaststroke. There's a lot to be aware of in the breaststroke. For many, the breaststroke is the most difficult of the strokes to officiate. I hope you find this video informative. 

Remember, too, that in January 2014, USAS Rules & Regulations Committee provided a revised interpretation of the breaststroke and butterfly separated hands requirement. You can find that interpretation by clicking here.

To get email notifications of new posts to this blog, submit your email address near the top of the blog to subscribe. At the end of any day where there's new information, you'll receive an email notifying you of that.

So, without further delay...

Breaststroke video

Important Information About Nametags

Effective immediately, there is a change in the way we order nametags in AMS. As many of you know, in past years (for as long as I can remember) we sent out nametag orders once or twice a year and then struggled to get each and every official who ordered one their tag.

Problem solved! Each and every AMS Official can now order their nametag online through Hasty Awards. The nametag costs $5.95, including shipping. It takes less than two weeks typically for your nametag to be delivered. No more waiting for months.

To order a nametag, click here. It's a simple process...even an Official can do it! No more unidentified officials!

Preparing for the Short Course season

Most of us have been off deck for awhile. It's often helpful to review the rules as a way to "get our heads back in the game". Over the course of the next few weeks, I'll be posting training videos to help us get ready for splashdown. Remember, the Short Course season kicks off with First Splash on either 10/4-5 of 10/11-12. Let's get reaaaadddyyyy to rumble!

Today, I'm posting two short videos. The first video reviews some general officiating rules. The second video is the first of the stroke videos and reviews butterfly. Enjoy! If you have any questions or comments, feel free to post a comment to this blog entry (of contact me privately if you prefer). Note: the videos may start at some point in the middle of the clip. Just move it to the beginning so you can enjoy the entire video

General Officiating video

Butterfly video

Email notifications

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Remember, if you'd like to ask a question or have a suggestion about an article, send me an email at bob.mermelstein@gmail.com.