January 2013 1

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Begin presentation at Slide 2

January 2013 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

May be taken in any order

January 2011 3

CHIEF TIMEKEEPER CLINIC

January 2013 4

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.

January 2013 5

Before the MeetArrive 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.

January 2013 6

Before the MeetDiscuss 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?

January 2013 7

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?

January 2013 8

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.

January 2013 9

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.

January 2013 10

Identification of swimmers.

Before the Meet - Briefing

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

January 2013 11

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.

January 2013 12

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.

January 2013

Before the Meet - Briefing

— Where to record times on Lane Sheets

o Split times are recorded automatically when you push one of the buttons if semi automatic timing or dolphin wireless stopwatches are used.

o If using watches, split times should be recorded on sheets provided.

13

January 2013 14

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.

January 2013 15

Before the Meet - BriefingWhen, 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.

January 2013 16

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.

January 2013 17

During the Meet

SW 2.8.1 The 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.

January 2013 18

During the MeetCSW 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.

January 2013 19

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.)

January 2013 20

During the MeetSW 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.

January 2013 21

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.

January 2013 22

Records

CSW 12.18.4 - A time achieved while swimming the first “leg” of a relay, or while swimming any part of an individual event 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.

January 2013 23

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.

January 2013 24

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.

January 2013 25

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.

January 2013 26

Chief Timekeeper - Situation # 1Timekeeper 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.

January 2013 27

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.

January 2013 28

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.

January 2013 29

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.

January 2013 30

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.

January 2013 31

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.

REMEMBERIF YOU START THE WATCH, YOU MUST STOP THAT

WATCH!!

January 2013 32

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.

January 2013 33

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

January 2013 34

Chief Timekeeper Questionnaire

1. Before the start of a meet the Chief Timekeeper shall:

a. Check that all watches are in good working order;b. Issue watches to timekeepers; c. Brief timekeepers regarding their duties;d. Assign an individual to each lane to judge relay

takeovers;e. Assign Head Lane timekeepers; f. Issue bells (where appropriate);g. Arrange with the Starter to conduct a “watch check”;h. Establish working signals with the Referee.

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2. The Chief Timekeeper shall:

a. Take the finish time of the winner of each heat;b. Position himself so that he can observe the finish of

each heat; c. Make his own tabulation of the order of finish of each

heat;d. Disqualify swimmers for turn infractions which he

observes;e. Signal all Timekeepers to clear and reset their

watches;f. Check all recorded times of the winner of each heat;g. Affix his time, when necessary, on the time card of the

winner of a heat or final;h. Satisfy himself that all timekeepers are competent;i. Tabulate lengths completed in long distance races

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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.

January 2013 37

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.

January 2013 38

4. When an automatic judging and timing system with electronic touch-pads is in use:

a. it is necessary to have a full complement of Lane Timekeepers on duty unless another approved backup system is available;

b. it is necessary to have a full complement of Lane Timekeepers on standby in the officials' room, in the event of a malfunction;

c. the Lane Timekeeper will transcribe the automatic times onto the time cards.

January 2013 39

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.

January 2013 40

A B Ca. 1:01.32 1:01.39 1:01.43b. 1:10.67 1:10.89c. 4:03.47 4:03.26 4:03.54d. 1:00.03 59.95e. 2:12.04 2:12.15 2:12.04f. 2:21.34 2:20.97g. 4:18.07 4:18.42

6.The following times were measured on manually operated digital watches. Determine the official times for each swim:

Official Time1:01.391:10.784:03.47 59.992:12.042:21.154:18.24

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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.

January 2013 42

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.

January 2013 43

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.

January 2013 44

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;

January 2013 45

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/offi

cials-forms.htm

January 2013 46

Thank you.

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