Thanks for the Memories

As this day comes to a close, so closes my time as AMS Officials Chair. I have to tell you...like most things in life, it's had its ups and downs. But, happily, mostly ups. It has been my honor and privilege to serve as your Officials Chair. 

I turn over the reins to a very capable official. Scott Pauley has both the technical skills and personality/temperament to lead us forward. I know he's excited to move us forward.

Some parting words...

Take officiating seriously but have fun for crying out loud. It's a sport and we're volunteers. We have a responsibility to do a good and fair job on deck but you should enjoy your experience...as much as I have. If you ever stop having fun and can pinpoint the reason(s) why, have a chat with Scott. If there's a problem he can fix or address, he'll be happy to do so.

Don't overlook quantity AND quality. Typically, the more sessions you're able to work, the better an official you'll be. We can all be better at this and should strive to overachieve.

Your relationship with coaches is critical. We've struggled lately to maintain a strong, partnering relationship with coaches on deck and this must improve for the benefit of the sport and the swimmers. It's not just on us, they hold equal responsibility. Make sure you take the time to walk the deck and introduce yourself to coaches you don't know. They'll appreciate it and you'll be happy you did.

Your relationship with your fellow officials is equally important. We're like a family. We squabble at times but at the end of the day...we're still family. Let's pledge to treat each other with respect.

I don't want to go on and on (that's my nature). I look forward to seeing you all at future meets. See ya on deck!

Bob Mermelstein
AMS Chair (retired)

PS Good luck, Scott. You'll be great!

Get Your Sessions In!

It's hard to believe that we are now within a couple of meets of completing the 2016 AMS Long Course season. Thanks to all who have pitched in and helped staff our meets this past year.

As you'll recall, a year and a half ago, we changed the minimum sessions worked required of our AMS Officials to 12 (click here to see the rule). The reporting year is September 1 through August 31. With the completion of the MLAC Last Splash meet, our reporting year will effectively be complete. It is very important that you all check to see how many sessions you've worked at AMS meets over the Short and Long Course seasons to determine whether you're in compliance with this requirement. There are two meets remaining...

Junior Olympics is being held at Pitt (July 21-24). This is a 10-session meet with timed finals on Thursday evening (distance) and Prelims Friday, Saturday and Sunday (both AM and PM) and Finals Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. This meet will be an excellent meet to "catch up" on your officials sessions worked. The Officials Contact for this meet is Dave Watterson (wttrsn@gmail.com). To sign up to work this meet, follow this link...http://signup.com/go/J5V9hR

Last Splash will be held at Mt. Lebo (July 30-31). This is a 2-session meet with sessions on both Saturday and Sunday mornings. The Officials Contact for this meet is Michelle Filey (michelle@mlacswimming.com). To sign up to work this meet, follow this link...http://signup.com/go/cxDNfj

IMPORTANT: If you just became certified during calendar year 2016, you are exempt from this requirement for the year ending August 31, 2016!

Both of these meets need officials at all levels, especially the MLAC meet. Sign up early and often. You'll have plenty of time to rest between Last Splash and First Splash in October!

See ya on deck.

Down the Homestretch We Go!

So, we're headed toward the finish line to another Long Course season. There are some meets left that need your help. We've been a little light on officials at some of our meets (partially due to multiple meets on the same weekend...not a great idea during the LC season). But, as they say, the show must go on...and it can't go on without us!

We play a critical role in the success of our AMS meets and your time and efforts are greatly appreciated. Here's the lineup of remaining meet for you to consider. The more sessions you can help with, the better for our swimmers...

Silver Champs (North Park) - 7/15-17/2016.
   Officials Contact: Andrea Rousseau  asrousseau@verizon.net 
   http://signup.com/go/GTrJBb

Junior Olympics (Pitt) - 7/21-24/2016.
   Officials Contact: David Watterson  wttrsn@gmail.com
   http://signup.com/go/J5V9hR

Last Splash (Mt. Lebo Rec Center) - 7/30-31/2016
   Officials Contact: Michelle Filey  michelle@mlacswimming.com
   http://signup.com/go/cxDNfj

Sign up early, sign up often! Let's end this Long Course season with a bang! I know the swimmers will appreciate it (whether they realize it or not). See ya on deck!

Upcoming LC Meets

If you've been longing to get on deck to officiate at upcoming AMS meets, here's the list of remaining LC meets (for which Meet Announcements have been made available). Please consider working as many sessions as you can. Summer meets are always a challenge due to vacations, etc. so any help you can provide is greatly appreciated.

MLAC Summer Celebration (6/17-19)  http://vols.pt/cvxYTg

GPAC 10 & Under Summer Champs (6/25)  http://vols.pt/AwAkq1

JCCS Distance (6/25)  http://vols.pt/JfjdBi

AMS Senior Circuit (7/8-10)  http://vols.pt/NSPZU3

GPAC LC Bronze Champs (7/9-10)  http://vols.pt/SgBWga

MLAC LC Last Splash  http://vols.pt/NFQtMN

That's what we have for now. There are still a couple of other meets that we're awaiting MA's for.

Thanks for your help this summer. As always, it's greatly appreciated.

Interpretation of USAS Rule 102.8.31E - Use of Tape

There has been much confusion about allowable (and not) types of tapes permitted to be worn by swimmers in competition. This has been further confused by the fact that the NFHS and NCAA rules are not in sync with FINA's (and thus USA Swimming's) rules. While we have discussed what was meant by the language in Rule 102.8.1E (especially as it relates to the use of kinesio tape), there had not been a definitive interpretation that spelled out what was allowable and, more importantly, what was not allowed by USAS rule.

A new interpretation has been provided by Jay Thomas, Chair, USAS Rules & Regulations Committee which now spells out definitively what is specifically excluded from use by swimmers in competition. Here is the interpretation...

The NCAA and NFHS have adopted rules which permit the use of tape under certain circumstances. There now appears to be some confusion regarding the application of USA Swimming Rule 102.8.1E. The following interpretation of 102.8.1.E is presented to provide clarity to the use of tape in USA Swimming competitions.

Article 102.8.1E states in part, …“Any kind of tape on the body is not permitted unless approved by the Referee.”

Common sense should prevail. The following uses of tape are generally permitted in competition:

1. Wound protection and closure. Band-Aids, dressings, ”Butterfly” type, etc. are normally permitted with no advanced notification to the Referee. When the tape to hold a dressing in place completely circles a major limb or the dressing is exceptionally large in size, advanced notification to the Referee is recommended.
2. Taping of fingers or toes. “Buddy Taping” no more than two (2) injured fingers or toes together should be permitted. Advanced notification to the Referee is recommended.
3. Tape to secure medical alert bracelets and pendants, religious objects, etc. should be permitted. Advanced notification to the Referee is recommended.
4. Tape to secure medical devices. Example – insulin pumps, ostomy bags, etc. should be permitted. Advanced notification to the Referee is required.

The following uses of tape are not permitted in competition – irrespective of whether a Doctor’s note has been presented.

1. Elastic Therapeutic Tape is never permitted.
2. Kinesio Taping is never permitted.
3. Any other taping intentioned to provide compression or support to muscles, ligaments, tendons or joints (except as stated above) is never permitted.

A copy of the interpretation can be found by clicking here. Should you have any questions, please contact Bob Mermelstein at bob.mermelstein@gmail.com.

Printing your USA Swimming Non-Athlete Official Membership Card

As many of you are already aware, AMS no longer provides USA Swimming non-athlete membership cards to its non-athlete Official members. Most LSC's across the country have migrated to using Deck Pass as the primary means of documenting/proving your member status with USAS. Most of us show our cards on our smartphones and no longer bother with presenting a printed card to show that we're current and active members of USAS as non-athlete Officials. Typically, we now prefer that all Officials print their LSC certification card to also show what certification levels (e.g. Referee, Administrative Official, Stroke & Turn, etc.) they currently maintain.

While this is certainly adequate and acceptable, some of you prefer to go "old school" and would like a printed copy of your USAS non-athlete Official member card. You can do that, if you'd like. To do so, log into USA Swimming's website. Go to "Member Resources" and then "Deck Pass" (the second link under "Programs & Services" on the left hand side.

Once on your Deck Pass page, click on Membership Card. You'll see a link labeled "Print Official Card", which will allow you to print your official member card that you can proudly display.

Please do have your LSC certification card visible, as well, as it not only has all of your USA Swimming membership expirations (membership, BC and APT) but also your current certifications.

See ya on deck!

We're now full steam ahead with Long Course and have meets most weekends through July. We're still waiting for some meet announcements to be posted with meet details but here are the meets/links currently set up in Volunteer Spot for you to sign up for meets you intend to work...

Team Pittsburgh May Invitational  http://vols.pt/AyxSiM  (May 27-28)

GPAC AGO  http://vols.pt/f3i8RC  (June 4-5)

HD AGO  http://vols.pt/y2ibZp  (June 4-5)

MLAC Summer Celebration  http://vols.pt/cvxYTg  (June 18-19)

JCCS Distance Meet  http://vols.pt/JfjdBi  (June 25)

MLAC Last Splash  http://vols.pt/NFQtMN  (July 30-31)

To see all of the meets posted for the 2016 meet sign up, use this link...http://vols.pt/Vxv1m8. As more meets gets posted to the LC schedule, more sign ups will be available.

Long Course is always a bit more challenging to staff with officials as some officials' kids don't swim LC so all the help you can provide is greatly appreciated. We look forward to seeing you on deck this summer. Any questions, please contact Bob Mermelstein at bob.mermelstein@gmail.com. 

Let's Go Pens! Happy Memorial Day weekend!

Updated AMS Officials Rosters Updated on Our Website as of 5/4/2016

The AMS Officials rosters have been updated on our website as of May 4, 2016. Please review your listing to verify it is correct by clicking here. If you have any questions and/or issues, please contact Bob Mermelstein at bob.mermelstein@gmail.com. 

Long Course is here! Sign up to officiate at the meet sessions of your choice. Sign up early and often!

Lochte Rule Now Applies to HS: Freestyle Turn Position Clarified in High School Swimming and Diving

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Swimming and Diving Rules Committee approved a change to the freestyle portion of the individual medley and medley relay as it relates to body position. In effect, the NFHS has adopted the so called Lochte Rule as interpreted by FINA and subsequently USA Swimming following last year's World Championships.

To read the complete press release, click here.

Important Information from USA Swimming

A few important pieces of information from USA Swimming...

ATHLETE PROTECTION TRAINING - BROWSER

Windows 10 was released last week, and the APT is not currently compatible with the browser, Microsoft Edge, that comes with it.  There have been a few reports from members about this. Praesidium (the APT provider) is working toward a more permanent solution, but the temporary work-around is to use Google Chrome from a desktop or laptop computer (not a tablet or mobile device) to complete the course.

  

ONLINE TESTING NOT AVAILABLE APRIL 15-30

As happens every year, the officials’ online tests will be unavailable from April 15-30, 2016. All of these tests are being updated to allow for the May 1^st rule changes and to align with the 2016 Rulebook. Tests will be back online on May 1.

If any test-takers have not completed their tests by April 15th, the uncompleted tests will be deleted and they will have to be taken over from the beginning on May 1st. COMPLETED tests will not be deleted. Note: NCAA tests will not be affected and will still be available from the NCAA testing link on the website.

  

SAFE SPORT WEBINAR FOR OFFICIALS

Safe Sport at Meets: A Conversation about the role of officials

Tune into a conversation with Rebecca Landre, official and LSC Safe Sport Chair for Sierra Nevada Swimming, as she shares her experiences and best practices for implementing Safe Sport at meets.  She will discuss the role of officials and ways to mitigate risks at swim meets.

April 13, 2016 - Noon Eastern/11 AM Central/10 AM Mountain/9 AM Pacific

Registration and Information - http://www.usaswimming.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabId=1920&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en