Twin Cities Swim Conference

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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Agenda

• Introductions
• Duties of a swim official
• Stroke Rules
• Starting Protocol
• TCSC Exceptions to USA Swimming Rules
• Order of Finish
• Timing Adjustments
• Open Forum QA

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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Introductions

• Names
• TCSC Swim Team Affiliation
• Experience as a swim official (TCSC, IHSA, YMCA,
  USA Swimming

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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Duties of a swim official

• Observe the swim
• Dont look for violations
• Ensure the pool is fairly observed (mirror your
  counterpart)
• Benefit of doubt goes to swimmer
• Part of the officiating team
• Jurisdiction / Assignment

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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Stroke Rules

• TCSC follows USA Swimming Rules
• Freestyle
• Backstroke
• Butterfly
• Breaststroke
• Individual Medley
• Freestyle Relay
• Medley Relay

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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training

• Freestyle

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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Freestyle

• Forward start
• 15 meter rule head must break the surface
• Must remain on surface after 15 meters
• Must touch the wall at turn / finish
• May stand or rest on lane line. Shall not push
  off bottom, walk on bottom, or use lane line to
  pull

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Officials Training
Freestyle
Video (145 minutes)
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Officials Training

• Backstroke

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Officials Training
Backstroke

• Start
• Swimmers shall line up in the water facing the
  starting end with both hands placed on the gutter
  or starting grips. Standing in or on the gutter,
  toes above the lip of the gutter, or bending the
  toes over the lip of the gutter, before or after
  the start, is prohibited

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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Backstroke

• Stroke
• 15 meter rule head must break the surface
• Must remain on surface after 15 meters
• No other restrictions
• Kick
• No restrictions

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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Backstroke

• Turn
• Some part of swimmer must touch the end of the
  pool
• Swimmer may turn on the breast after which a
  single or simultaneous double arm-pull may be
  used to execute the turn.
• TCSC rule exception continuous turn not
  required. Swimmer may not turn on the breast
  prior to the backstroke flags
• Swimmer must be on back upon leaving the wall
• Upper shoulder determines if on back
• Swimmer must touch wall while on back

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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Backstroke
Video (7 minutes) Note Video refers to
continuous turn requirements which is not
applicable to TCSC.
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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training

• Butterfly

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Officials Training
Butterfly

• Stroke
• Forward start shall be used
• Must remain on surface after 15 meters
• Shoulders at or past vertical toward the breast
• One arm pull underwater
• Both arms must be brought forward over the water
  and pulled back simultaneously

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Officials Training
Butterfly

• Kick
• Up and down movements of legs and feet must be
  simultaneous
• Position of legs or feet need not be on the same
  level, but they shall not alternate
• Scissors or breaststroke kicking movement is not
  permitted

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Officials Training
Butterfly

• Turns and Finish
• Touch at turn and finish shall be simultaneous
• Shoulders must be at or past the vertical toward
  the breast when the swimmer leaves the wall

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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Butterfly
Video (535 minutes)
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Officials Training

• Breaststroke

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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Breaststroke

• Stroke
• Forward start shall be used
• Body on the breast
• Stroke cycle One arm stroke, one leg kick in
  order
• Movements of arms simultaneous and in same
  horizontal plane
• Hands pushed forward together from the breast
• Elbows shall be under water except final stroke
  prior to turn or finish
• Head shall break surface during each complete
  stroke cycle

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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Breaststroke

• Stroke
• Hands shall not be brought back beyond the hip
  line except first stroke off start or turn
• After start/turn head must break surface prior to
  the hands turning inward at the widest part of
  the 2nd stroke

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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Breaststroke

• Kick
• After start/turn, a single downward butterfly
  kick followed by a breaststroke kick is
  permitted. Following which, all movements of the
  legs are simultaneous and in the same horizontal
  plane without alternating movement
• Feet must be turned outwards during the
  propulsive part of kick. Scissors, flutter, or
  downward butterfly kick is not permitted

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Officials Training
Breaststroke

• Turns and Finish
• Touch at turn and finish shall be simultaneous

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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Breaststroke
Video (940 minutes) Note Video predates some
rule changes. A downward butterfly kick is now
allowed off the start and turn after initiation
of the arm pull and prior to the first
breaststroke kick.
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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training

• Individual Medley

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Officials Training
Individual Medley

• Forward start
• Order of strokes Butterfly Backstroke
  Breaststroke Freestyle
• The stroke for each one-fourth of the designated
  distance shall follow the prescribed rules for
  that stroke
• Intermediate turns conform to turn rules for the
  stroke
• Transition turns from one stroke to another
  comply with finish rules for the stroke just
  completed.
• During freestyle, may not swim in the manner of
  butterfly, breaststroke, or backstroke.

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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training

• Relays

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Officials Training
Relays

• Freestyle relay swimmer may swim any stroke
• Medley relay.
• Order of strokes Backstroke Breaststroke
  Butterfly Freestyle
• During freestyle, may not swim in the manner of
  butterfly, breaststroke, or backstroke.
• No swimmer shall swim more than one leg of any
  relay
• Relay exchange swimmer must touch the wall
  prior to the next swimmer leaving blocks
• Monitor toes, then look at touch to determine if
  exchange is early

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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Relays

• In water exchanges. Wait for the swimmer in the
  water to leave the wall, then look for the touch.
  The swimmer is allowed to lose contact with the
  wall so long as they push off the wall (not the
  bottom of the pool) not before the incoming
  swimmer touches the wall.
• Video (4 minutes) IM and Relays

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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training

• Importance of making the call
• Feedback to swimmer coach regarding
• Rules
• Technique
• Allows opportunity for swimmer to correct
• Fairness to all competitors

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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Starting Protocol - Forward start

• Deck Referee
• Series of chirps (more than 3) alerts swimmers
  to be ready, behind the blocks
• Long whistle swimmers are to step up (if
  swimmers do not step up, add the spoken command
  Step Up)
• Releases start to Starter with outreached hand

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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Starting Protocol - Forward start

• Starter
• Spoken command Take Your Mark
• Swimmers are to promptly go to their starting
  position with at least one foot at front of
  starting block. Once motionless, the starting
  mechanism is triggered.
• If swimmers do not become motionless, or fail to
  promptly go to their starting position, Stand.
  At the command, come down promptly and hold.
  If required a second time, step them down and
  review starting protocol with swimmer.

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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Starting Protocol - Backstroke start

• Deck Referee
• Series of chirps (more than 3) alerts swimmers
  to be ready, behind the blocks
• Long whistle swimmers are to step in (if
  swimmers do not step in, add the spoken command
  Step In)
• A 2nd long whistle swimmers are to place their
  feet
• Toes may not be above gutter

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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Starting Protocol - Backstroke start

• Starter
• Spoken command Take Your Mark
• Swimmers are to promptly go to their starting
  position. Once motionless, the starting
  mechanism is triggered.
• If swimmers do not become motionless, or fail to
  promptly go to their starting position, Stand.
  At the command, come down promptly and hold.
  If required a second time, step them down and
  review starting protocol with swimmer.
• Swimmers may not position toes above gutter

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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
TCSC Exceptions

• False starts are only recalled for 6U and 8U,
  for which there are no disqualifications.
• All other age groups are not recalled for false
  starts. Dual confirmation between the starter
  and deck referee are required for false start
  disqualifications, and the swimmer is informed
  after the race (2007 change).
• Backstroke
• Backstroke turn need not be continuous. Swimmer
  may not turn onto the breast prior to the
  backstroke flags.

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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
TCSC Exceptions

• 6 Under
• DQ only if swimmer swims incorrect stroke for 3
  or more complete arm stroke cycles. If it
  appears the swimmer is attempting to swim the
  correct stroke, no DQ.
• False starts recalled, but no DQ.
• No DQ for illegal touch.
• Note Relay exchanges must comply with rules

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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
TCSC Exceptions

• 8 Under
• Breaststroke Butterfly DQ only if swimmer
  makes a swim infraction for 3 or more consecutive
  arm stroke cycles or an illegal touch/finish. A
  swimmer that does 2 incorrect, 1 correct, 2
  incorrect, 1 correct, taking advantage of this
  rule will be DQd for unsportsmanlike behavior.
• False starts are recalled, but no DQ.
• Note Relay exchanges must comply with rules

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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
TCSC Exceptions

• All other age groups
• No exceptions.

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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training

• Timer responsibilities
• Ensure swimmer is in the right lane.
• Start watches with starter strobe light.
• Record manual watch times consistently on timing
  sheet.
• Report if there is a delayed touch to the pad.
• Finish is when some part of the swimmer comes in
  contact with the pad (when automatic timing
  equipment is used) or the end of the pool (pads
  are not used).

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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Order of Finish
For dual meets will be determined by time For B
conference and conference, automatic timing
equipment is to be used, and integration of times
as outlined in the USA Swimming rulebook will be
followed.
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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Order of Finish

• Official watch time
• Two watches, average time recording to
  hundredths (truncate beyond hundredths).
• Example Watch 1 33.25 Watch 2 33.50
• Average is (33.25 33.50)/2
• 66.75/2 33.375 33.37
• Three watches, intermediate time, or if two
  watches agree
• Examples
• Watch 1 33.25 Watch 2 33.50 Watch 3 33.30
  Time33.30
• Watch 1 33.25 Watch 2 33.25 Watch 3 33.30
  Time33.25

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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Timing Adjustments

• Priority of timing equipment
• Touchpads (automatic)
• Buttons (semi-automatic)
• Watches (manual)
• When everything works, adjustments are not
  needed.
• Everything doesnt always work

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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Timing Adjustments

• Integration of times
• When all the equipment is working and the swimmer
  properly activates the pad, this is easy
• When the equipment does not work or the swimmer
  fails to activate the pad, you must integrate the
  times such that all times are equivalent

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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Timing Adjustments

• When the equipment does not work or the pad is
  not properly activated, the referee is
  responsible for
• Confirming that a timing malfunction has
  occurred
• Integrate the backup time to the primary time
• In other words, if the automatic timing system
  has malfunctioned, the referee is responsible for
  integrating (adjusting) the backup time to the
  automatic time. Or, put another way, is
  responsible for eliminating the human variability
  in the backup times!

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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Timing Adjustments

• Equivalency of times
• Automatic. Time is started by the starting
  mechanism and stopped by the swimmer with the
  pad. There is no human intervention.
• Semi-automatic. Time is started by the starting
  mechanism and stopped by the timer depressing the
  button. There is human intervention for the
  finish of the race.
• Manual watch. Time is started by the timer and
  stopped by the timer. There is human
  intervention twice.

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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Timing Adjustments
Lane Pad Button Watch 1 Pad-BU Place
Official Time 1 203.13 202.91 202.96 2
206.41 206.18 206.22 3 201.02 200.80
200.87 4 159.44 159.46 159.40 5
208.15 208.04 206.90 6 200.06 159.91
200.00 Finish Judges 4-6-3-1-2-5 4-6-3-1-2-5
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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Timing Adjustments
Lane Pad Button Watch 1 Pad-BU Place
Official Time 1 203.13 202.91 202.96
.22 2 206.41 206.18 206.22 .23 3
201.02 200.80 200.87 .22 4 159.44
159.46 159.40 -.02 5 208.15 208.04
206.90 .11 6 200.06 159.91 200.00
.15 Finish Judges 4-6-3-1-2-5 4-6-3-1-2-5 No
malfunction indicated
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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Timing Adjustments
Lane Pad Button Watch 1 Pad-BU Place
Official Time 1 203.13 202.91 202.96
.22 4 203.13 2 206.41 206.18
206.22 .23 5 206.41 3 201.02
200.80 200.87 .22 3 201.02 4
159.44 159.46 159.40 -.02 1 159.44
5 208.15 208.04 206.90 .11 6
208.15 6 200.06 159.91 200.00 .15
2 200.06 Finish Judges 4-6-3-1-2-5
4-6-3-1-2-5 No malfunction indicated
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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Timing Adjustments
Lane Pad Button Watch 1 Pad-BU Place
Official Time 1 203.13 202.91 202.96 2
206.41 206.18 206.22 3 201.02 200.80
200.87 4 159.44 159.46 159.40 5
208.15 207.04 206.90 6 200.06 159.91
200.00 Finish Judges 4-6-3-1-2-5 4-6-3-1-2-5
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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Timing Adjustments
Lane Pad Button Watch 1 Pad-BU Place
Official Time 1 203.13 202.91 202.96
.22 2 206.41 206.18 206.22 .23 3
201.02 200.80 200.87 .22 4 159.44
159.46 159.40 -.02 5 208.15 207.04
206.90 1.11 6 200.06 159.91 200.00
.15 Finish Judges 4-6-3-1-2-5
4-6-3-1-2-5 Malfunction indicated in lane 5.
Secondary and tertiary timing systems appear
reasonable.
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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Timing Adjustments
Lane Pad Button Watch 1 Pad-BU Place
Official Time 1 203.13 202.91 202.96
.22 2 206.41 206.18 206.22 .23 3
201.02 200.80 200.87 .22 4 159.44
159.46 159.40 -.02 5 208.15 207.04
206.90 1.11 6 200.06 159.91 200.00
.15 To remove the human variability, take the
highest priority timing system that is correct,
and average the difference of the good lanes
equivalent priority timing system, and integrate
(adjust) the backup time.
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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Timing Adjustments
Lane Pad Button Watch 1 Pad-BU Place
Official Time 1 203.13 202.91 202.96
.22 2 206.41 206.18 206.22 .23 3
201.02 200.80 200.87 .22 4 159.44
159.46 159.40 -.02 5 208.15 207.04
206.90 1.11 6 200.06 159.91 200.00
.15 Total .80
Divide by 5
Average .16
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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Timing Adjustments
Lane Pad Button Watch 1 Pad-BU Place
Official Time 1 203.13 202.91 202.96
.22 2 206.41 206.18 206.22 .23 3
201.02 200.80 200.87 .22 4 159.44
159.46 159.40 -.02 5 208.15 207.04
206.90 1.11 6 200.06 159.91 200.00
.15 Total .80
Divide by 5
Average .16 Lane 5 backup time is adjusted
by adding .16 to 207.04. Official time for lane
5 becomes 207.20
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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Timing Adjustments
Lane Pad Button Watch 1 Pad-BU Place
Official Time 1 203.13 202.91 202.96
.22 4 203.13 2 206.41 206.18
206.22 .23 5 206.41 3 201.02
200.80 200.87 .22 3 201.02 4
159.44 159.46 159.40 -.02 1 159.44
5 208.15 207.04 206.90 1.11 6
207.20 6 200.06 159.91 200.00 .15 2
200.06 Finish Judges 4-6-3-1-2-5
4-6-3-1-2-5 Malfunction addressed
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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Timing Adjustments
Lane Pad Button Watch 1 Pad-BU Place
Official Time 1 203.13 202.91 202.96
.22 2 206.41 206.18 206.22 .23 3
201.02 200.80 200.87 .22 4 159.44
159.46 159.40 -.02 5 208.15 207.04
207.90 1.11 6 200.06 159.91 200.00
.15 Finish Judges 4-6-3-1-2-5
4-6-3-1-2-5 Potential malfunction indicated in
lane 5.
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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Timing Adjustments
Lane Pad Button Watch 1 Pad-BU Place
Official Time 1 203.13 202.91 202.96
.22 2 206.41 206.18 206.22 .23 3
201.02 200.80 200.87 .22 4 159.44
159.46 159.40 -.02 5 208.15 207.04
207.90 1.11 6 200.06 159.91 200.00
.15 While the secondary system indicates a
potential malfunction, the tertiary system
appears to agree with the primary timing system.
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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Timing Adjustments
Lane Pad Button Watch 1 Pad-BU Place
Official Time 1 203.13 202.91 202.96
.22 4 203.13 2 206.41 206.18
206.22 .23 5 206.41 3 201.02
200.80 200.87 .22 3 201.02 4
159.44 159.46 159.40 -.02 1 159.44
5 208.15 207.04 207.90 1.11 6
208.15 6 200.06 159.91 200.00 .15 2
200.06 Finish Judges 4-6-3-1-2-5
4-6-3-1-2-5 Referee determines no timing
malfunction. Rule of thumb look for reasons to
accept the primary timing system
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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Timing Adjustments
Heat malfunctions What about missing button
times Watch times that are off Judgment and
common sense Computer will flag differences
between primary and secondary, but will not flag
missing times.
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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Open Forum
Questions Points of Clarification Discussion Goals
of TCSC Swimming
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Twin Cities Swim Conference Parent Volunteer
Officials Training
Open Forum
Thanks! Your attendance is greatly appreciated,
and your deck time as officials this summer will
be more greatly appreciated! This presentation
is available on line at http//65.214.79.39/ilswi
my/twincitiesconference/twin_cities_swim_conferenc
e.htm as are the rules and last years conference
results.