Rules Training for the 2025 Season

Overview

More extensive training is needed for swimming officials and coaches to be proficient. This training is also valuable for team reps. This year, all of the training will be done at the clinics to be held at JCC during May. There will not be any certifications issued through video and poolside training.

Training Clinics

There will be four identical sessions:

Where: Jewish Community Center, 12500 NW Military Highway, Rooms 227/8/9

When: Sunday May 4, Saturday May 10, Saturday May 17 and Sunday May 18.

Recertification sessions will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 pm.

New official training will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.

Poolside Clinic

A poolside clinic is scheduled for Wednesday May 21 from 6:00 to 7:00 pm at the JCC pool. This is offered for both new and returning officials as a chance to do live observation and practice. One session is primarily for Stroke and Turn officials to observe real swimmers demonstrating legal and illegal swimming. Another session is primarily for Referees and Starters to practice whistle start procedures with real swimmers.

Returning Officials

Officials who were certified for the 2024 season must attend a recertification session to retain their certification for the 2025 season. If you are certified as Stroke and Turn or Starter and want to add another skill (Starter, Stroke and Turn or Referee), you are encouraged to stay and attend the appropriate new official training session.

New Officials

Volunteers who are training for a new officiating position need to attend a new official training session. At each clinic, there will be a session for Stroke and Turn training and another combined session for Referees, Starters, Coaches and Team Rep.

Coaches

Rules training is required for new head coaches and is encouraged for assistant coaches. This training is done in the new official training. Returning coaches are encouraged to attend one of the recertification sessions. The separate New Head Coaches Clinic is scheduled for 1-2 pm on May 18, so you can make both clinics on that day.

Team Reps

Rules training is not required for team reps but it is strongly encouraged. You are welcome to join the new official training clinics. Returning team reps who have previously been to one of the full sessions are encouraged to attend one of the recertification sessions.

Resources

A number of resources are available on the League website under the Private/Judges Info tab. USA Swimming also has many resources available (see usaswimming.org). They have developed training videos for officials that are available on YouTube. In the Judges Info area you can find a document titled “Training Videos Available for Swimming Officials” that has the links to useful videos.