As we're now full steam ahead with our 2015/2016 SC season, consider volunteering to officiate at our upcoming meets. Here's the list of meets through December 2015 with a link to our volunteer page for each meet...
MOON Mini/Distance 10/31-11/1 http://vols.pt/41V1sN
HD Bronze 11/7-8 http://vols.pt/G8n8sU
SPAC Bronze 11/7-8 http://vols.pt/pmusKN
CVSC/USCS Silver Plus 11/14-15 http://vols.pt/UACwMt
2015 Pitt Invitational (Observed) 11/20-22 http://vols.pt/CeqAPf
WAAC Christmas Qualifier/Mini 12/5-6 http://vols.pt/iAraX6
NHA Bronze/Distance 12/12-13 http://vols.pt/MPUbH2
PRA Bronze/Distance 12/12-13 http://vols.pt/bDGwog
Christmas Meet Application to Officiate 12/17-20 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1gzOVq0cLkZsgXpbrG9L2RbpIlgjexNY7bgycrDKYGXM/viewform
This gets us through the end of the calendar year. The earlier you sign up to help at these meets, the more sleep the meet host will have knowing that their deck will be properly staffed with officials.
As always, the swimmers, coaches and parents (plus the Officials Committee) appreciate all that you do in the name of competitive swimming. Let's keep those decks filled swith officials! See ya on deck!
Monday, October 26, 2015
Friday, October 23, 2015
Reminder About Recertification
A reminder about AMS Officials recertification requirements...many officials have yet to recertify.
Every three years, AMS Officials must recertify for the officials positions that they hold. Our current certifications expire at December 31, 2015. The new online tests, based upon the 2015 Rule Book, will be available on the USA Swimming website after May 1, 2015.
If an official certified/recertified for a particular position(s) during 2015, their certification will be automatically renewed to December 31, 2018. Any certification/recertification completed prior to 2015 requires recertification during 2015 in order to extend the expiration to 12/31/18.
In order to recertify, officials at these highest levels of certification must complete the following online tests before 12/31/15...
Referee - A Referee must take the Referee, Starter, and Administrative Official recertification tests. This will also recertify them at the Chief Judge and Stroke & Turn levels. In lieu of the Admin Official test, the Referee can alternatively take the Administrative Referee test.
Starter - A Starter must take the Starter, Timing Judge and Stroke & Turn/Timer tests. In lieu of the Stroke & Turn/Timer test, the Starter can take the Referee recertification test to recertify for both Chief Judge and Stroke & Turn.
Chief Judge - A Chief Judge must take the Referee recertification test. This will also recertify them at the Stroke & Turn level.
Administrative Official - An Admin Official must take the Admin Official recertification test.
Stroke & Turn - A Stroke & Turn official must take the Stroke & Turn/Timer test.
As indicated above, you have until 12/31/2015 to complete the required tests in order to extend your certifications for three years. Should you have any questions, please contact Bob Mermelstein at bob.mermelstein@gmail.com.
Every three years, AMS Officials must recertify for the officials positions that they hold. Our current certifications expire at December 31, 2015. The new online tests, based upon the 2015 Rule Book, will be available on the USA Swimming website after May 1, 2015.
If an official certified/recertified for a particular position(s) during 2015, their certification will be automatically renewed to December 31, 2018. Any certification/recertification completed prior to 2015 requires recertification during 2015 in order to extend the expiration to 12/31/18.
In order to recertify, officials at these highest levels of certification must complete the following online tests before 12/31/15...
Referee - A Referee must take the Referee, Starter, and Administrative Official recertification tests. This will also recertify them at the Chief Judge and Stroke & Turn levels. In lieu of the Admin Official test, the Referee can alternatively take the Administrative Referee test.
Starter - A Starter must take the Starter, Timing Judge and Stroke & Turn/Timer tests. In lieu of the Stroke & Turn/Timer test, the Starter can take the Referee recertification test to recertify for both Chief Judge and Stroke & Turn.
Chief Judge - A Chief Judge must take the Referee recertification test. This will also recertify them at the Stroke & Turn level.
Administrative Official - An Admin Official must take the Admin Official recertification test.
Stroke & Turn - A Stroke & Turn official must take the Stroke & Turn/Timer test.
As indicated above, you have until 12/31/2015 to complete the required tests in order to extend your certifications for three years. Should you have any questions, please contact Bob Mermelstein at bob.mermelstein@gmail.com.
Thursday, October 8, 2015
USA-S HOD Rule Changes Effective Immediately - October 7, 2015
Here's a link to rule changes passed at the recent HOD meeting for USA Swimming. Nothing major to worry about. To view the letter from Jay Thomas, USA-S Rules & Regulations Committee Chair, click on the link below...
USA-S HOD Rule Changes Effective Immediately - October 7, 2015
You'll also find this letter on our AMS Officials website on the Forms page.
USA-S HOD Rule Changes Effective Immediately - October 7, 2015
You'll also find this letter on our AMS Officials website on the Forms page.
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Observers needed for 2015 Pitt Invitational
Every year, we are asked by outside swimming organizations (colleges, WPIAL, other PIAA Districts, YMCA) to provide observers for some of their meets so that the times from these meets can be uploaded into the SWIMS database. The first such meet of the season is the 2015 Pitt Invitational.
The Pitt Invitational is a 3-day Prelims/Finals meet held at Trees Pool on November 20-22, 2015. This is a very fast meet and a college meet so it's a lot of fun with a lot of energy. As the meet is officiated by NCAA officials, AMS/USA-S is asked to provide observers as required by USA Swimming Rule 202.7.
We are looking to provide up to 5 observers for each prelim and final session for the three days. Timing is as follows:
Friday, Saturday and Sunday Prelims 9:00 AM (report at 8:00)
Friday, Saturday Finals 6:00 PM (report at 5:00)
Sunday Finals 3:00 PM (report at 2:00)
This is a fun meet and Pitt, as always, will provide parking for our officials (I assume in the OC Lot). Please sign up for as many sessions as you can observe. Limit 5 officials per session, first come, first served.
It's important that we support these meets. USA-S swimmers depend on our support so that there swims can be uploaded into SWIMS as a qualifying time. To sign up, use the following link to Volunteer Spot...
http://vols.pt/CeqAPf
Thanks for your support!
The Pitt Invitational is a 3-day Prelims/Finals meet held at Trees Pool on November 20-22, 2015. This is a very fast meet and a college meet so it's a lot of fun with a lot of energy. As the meet is officiated by NCAA officials, AMS/USA-S is asked to provide observers as required by USA Swimming Rule 202.7.
We are looking to provide up to 5 observers for each prelim and final session for the three days. Timing is as follows:
Friday, Saturday and Sunday Prelims 9:00 AM (report at 8:00)
Friday, Saturday Finals 6:00 PM (report at 5:00)
Sunday Finals 3:00 PM (report at 2:00)
This is a fun meet and Pitt, as always, will provide parking for our officials (I assume in the OC Lot). Please sign up for as many sessions as you can observe. Limit 5 officials per session, first come, first served.
It's important that we support these meets. USA-S swimmers depend on our support so that there swims can be uploaded into SWIMS as a qualifying time. To sign up, use the following link to Volunteer Spot...
http://vols.pt/CeqAPf
Thanks for your support!
Friday, October 2, 2015
USA Swimming Registration Cards Will Not be Issued for 2016
As you all know, it has been AMS' practice to issue a new USA Swimming non-athlete Official member card upon successful registration each year. The card showed that you were currently a non-athlete member as well as showing the expiration date of your Background Check and Athlete Protection Training.
As our LSC certification cards, which can be printed from the USA Swimming website, reflect the BC, APT and USA-S registration expiration dates along with the expiration dates for your certified official levels, we will no longer be issuing USA-S registration cards from the AMS Permanent Office. This will save time and money in issuing these unnecessary cards.
Many LSC's across the country have moved in this direction. Our LSC certification cards will provide the same information (and more) and will get you onto any pool deck both regionally and nationally. In addition, Deck Pass provides the USA-S, BC and APT expiration dates and is also a valid form to provide to get you on deck. See below images...
Should you have any questions, please contact Bob Mermelstein at bob.mermelstein@gmail.com.
As our LSC certification cards, which can be printed from the USA Swimming website, reflect the BC, APT and USA-S registration expiration dates along with the expiration dates for your certified official levels, we will no longer be issuing USA-S registration cards from the AMS Permanent Office. This will save time and money in issuing these unnecessary cards.
Many LSC's across the country have moved in this direction. Our LSC certification cards will provide the same information (and more) and will get you onto any pool deck both regionally and nationally. In addition, Deck Pass provides the USA-S, BC and APT expiration dates and is also a valid form to provide to get you on deck. See below images...
Should you have any questions, please contact Bob Mermelstein at bob.mermelstein@gmail.com.
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
MLAC Sunday Start Times Have Changed (10/11/15)
If you've volunteered to officiate at the MLAC First Splash for either the Sunday AM and/or PM sessions, please note that the meet times have changed due to a late noticed conflict with the school district.
The Sunday AM warm ups begin at 6:30 AM with a 7:35 AM session start time. The meet session should be done no later than 11:00 AM.
The Sunday PM warm ups begin at 5:00 PM with a 6:05 PM session start time. It is expected that the meet session should be done no later than 9:00 PM.
The Sunday AM warm ups begin at 6:30 AM with a 7:35 AM session start time. The meet session should be done no later than 11:00 AM.
The Sunday PM warm ups begin at 5:00 PM with a 6:05 PM session start time. It is expected that the meet session should be done no later than 9:00 PM.
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Officials Sign Ups update - 2015-2016 SC meets
All meets through December 2015 have now been added to our officials website (amswim-officials.org) and Volunteer Spot (http://vols.pt/q28pj3).
Our Officials website lists Officials Contact and email/phone contact information, as well as a link to the specific Volunteer Spot meet and a copy of the Meet Announcement. Or you can go directly to Volunteer Spot per the link above and sign up for as many meets/sessions as you'd like.
The Christmas Meet Invitational sign up is not being done through Volunteer Spot. It will once again be an Officials Qualifying Meet (OQM) where our officials can earn their N2 and/or N3 certifications (a great idea for officials with a year's experience). Their is a link to that google doc for both request for evaluation as well as just signing up to work sessions (even if you're not being evaluated) on our website.
For some unknown reason, Pittsburghers are notorious for signing on for things at the very last minute. While we appreciate all officials volunteering for sessions at any time, it would be nice to get an earlier indication of how well staffed our meets are earlier rather than later. Our meet hosts worry a lot about filling their meets with enough officials and knowing a bit earlier will provide them with more sleep than they'd get if they think they're understaffed. If you know you're available to work session(s), try your best to sign up as early as possible.
We appreciate your time and effort, as do the swimmers and coaches (most of the time). Looking forward to seeing you all on deck soon! Should you have any questions, please contact Bob Mermelstein, AMS Officials Chair, at bob.mermelstein@gmail.com.
Our Officials website lists Officials Contact and email/phone contact information, as well as a link to the specific Volunteer Spot meet and a copy of the Meet Announcement. Or you can go directly to Volunteer Spot per the link above and sign up for as many meets/sessions as you'd like.
The Christmas Meet Invitational sign up is not being done through Volunteer Spot. It will once again be an Officials Qualifying Meet (OQM) where our officials can earn their N2 and/or N3 certifications (a great idea for officials with a year's experience). Their is a link to that google doc for both request for evaluation as well as just signing up to work sessions (even if you're not being evaluated) on our website.
For some unknown reason, Pittsburghers are notorious for signing on for things at the very last minute. While we appreciate all officials volunteering for sessions at any time, it would be nice to get an earlier indication of how well staffed our meets are earlier rather than later. Our meet hosts worry a lot about filling their meets with enough officials and knowing a bit earlier will provide them with more sleep than they'd get if they think they're understaffed. If you know you're available to work session(s), try your best to sign up as early as possible.
We appreciate your time and effort, as do the swimmers and coaches (most of the time). Looking forward to seeing you all on deck soon! Should you have any questions, please contact Bob Mermelstein, AMS Officials Chair, at bob.mermelstein@gmail.com.
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
And So It Is...
As a follow up to the August 31, 2015 post about Ryan Lochte's now infamous swim in the World's 200 M Individual Medley, FINA has provided an interpretation of their rule SW9.1 (USAS Rule 101.5.2). To see the details of FINA's interpretation, click here.
The interpretation describes what constitutes backstroke during the freestyle leg of the Individual Medley. It says that if a swimmer leaves the wall on his/her back, they are performing backstroke.
Interestingly, if you look at the Frequently Asked Questions attached to the memo linked above, it describes what constitutes breaststroke during the freestyle leg of the IM. You may remember our discussions about this specific rule when a swimmer (actually two swimmers a few years apart at the JCCS Classic) came out of her turn in the 200 M IM and performed a breaststroke kick and a breaststroke pullout at the start of the freestyle leg of the race (the swimmers in both instances were not disqualified). There was a split in opinion as to what point an Official could conclude that the swimmer was swimming breaststroke (i.e. how many cycles had to be completed before one could determine that the swimmer was swimming breaststroke again). Well, the new interpretation indicates that the swimmer is swimming breaststroke if they complete a breaststroke kick and a breaststroke pullout, the fundamental elements of the breaststroke.
Should be some interesting discussions with Dan McAllen at the upcoming AMS Swimposium. If you have't signed up for the Officials Workshop/Luncheon, please take a few minutes to sign up now (click here for the registration form).
The interpretation describes what constitutes backstroke during the freestyle leg of the Individual Medley. It says that if a swimmer leaves the wall on his/her back, they are performing backstroke.
Interestingly, if you look at the Frequently Asked Questions attached to the memo linked above, it describes what constitutes breaststroke during the freestyle leg of the IM. You may remember our discussions about this specific rule when a swimmer (actually two swimmers a few years apart at the JCCS Classic) came out of her turn in the 200 M IM and performed a breaststroke kick and a breaststroke pullout at the start of the freestyle leg of the race (the swimmers in both instances were not disqualified). There was a split in opinion as to what point an Official could conclude that the swimmer was swimming breaststroke (i.e. how many cycles had to be completed before one could determine that the swimmer was swimming breaststroke again). Well, the new interpretation indicates that the swimmer is swimming breaststroke if they complete a breaststroke kick and a breaststroke pullout, the fundamental elements of the breaststroke.
Should be some interesting discussions with Dan McAllen at the upcoming AMS Swimposium. If you have't signed up for the Officials Workshop/Luncheon, please take a few minutes to sign up now (click here for the registration form).
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
New Athlete Protection Training Now Available for Non-Athlete Members of USAS
USA Swimming has just announced the release of the new Athlete Protection Training video for upcoming renewals. For most of us, our APT expires on 12/31/15. The renewal course is a new, 30-minute scenario based course.
Completion of the APT is required by 12/31/15 for all Officials with expiring APT at that date (check online or DeckPass to see when yours expires). The renewal will be good for 24 months.
To access the new training requirement, please use this link...
www.usaswimming.org/apt
You will not receive any warning email from USA Swimming so please make sure your APT is up to date prior to the end of the year. If you have any questions, please contact Bob Mermelstein at bob.mermelstein@gmail.com or 412-867-6687.
Completion of the APT is required by 12/31/15 for all Officials with expiring APT at that date (check online or DeckPass to see when yours expires). The renewal will be good for 24 months.
To access the new training requirement, please use this link...
www.usaswimming.org/apt
You will not receive any warning email from USA Swimming so please make sure your APT is up to date prior to the end of the year. If you have any questions, please contact Bob Mermelstein at bob.mermelstein@gmail.com or 412-867-6687.
Monday, August 31, 2015
An Interesting Thing Happened After Lochte's 200 IM Win at Worlds
Did you happen to see Ryan Lochte's gold medal swim in the 200 IM in Kazan at the World Championships? Well, you likely won't see his technique in the freestyle portion of the IM ever again as FINA ruled it illegal...
Turns out Lochte is faster streamlining on his back so he and his coach devised a plan for him to come off of the breaststroke portion of the IM on his back and swim the first 15 meters underwater while on his back. Of course, there's no question that this is a legal technique in both the Freestyle and Backstroke individual events. But there was some question as to whether the officials at World's would decide that he was swimming backstroke during the freestyle portion of the IM, which would be illegal. He gambled and the call was not made and he won his fourth consecutive World title in the event.
Enter FINA. FINA's rationale is that backstroke is defined by a swimmer traveling lying on his/her back. So, in underwater kicking on his back, Lochte, according to FINA, was technically swimming backstroke for the first 15 meters of his freestyle portion of the IM; a violation of the IM rules which require 4 distinct strokes.
Shouldn't be long before USA Swimming adopts a similar interpretation. Stay tuned.
Would you have considered his swimming underwater on his back for 15 meters as backstroke?
Turns out Lochte is faster streamlining on his back so he and his coach devised a plan for him to come off of the breaststroke portion of the IM on his back and swim the first 15 meters underwater while on his back. Of course, there's no question that this is a legal technique in both the Freestyle and Backstroke individual events. But there was some question as to whether the officials at World's would decide that he was swimming backstroke during the freestyle portion of the IM, which would be illegal. He gambled and the call was not made and he won his fourth consecutive World title in the event.
Enter FINA. FINA's rationale is that backstroke is defined by a swimmer traveling lying on his/her back. So, in underwater kicking on his back, Lochte, according to FINA, was technically swimming backstroke for the first 15 meters of his freestyle portion of the IM; a violation of the IM rules which require 4 distinct strokes.
Shouldn't be long before USA Swimming adopts a similar interpretation. Stay tuned.
Would you have considered his swimming underwater on his back for 15 meters as backstroke?
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