Swimming Natation Canada
Officials Re-certification Exercise
The National Officials Committee of SNC is pleased that you wish to participate
in a re-certification session designed for Level IV and V swimming officials who
are presently active in the sport. It is not intended for those officials who have
been away from the sport and inactive over a period of a few years. (Requirements for
inactive officials are set down in the rules for "Certification of Officials"
listed in clinics 1 and 5). The NOC intends this exercise to be an opportunity to
exchange experiences and ideas relating to on-deck officiating in your province.
This exercise is not a test, nor does any official lose their present level of certification
in taking this questionnaire. It is intended to keep all Level IV and V officials
up-to-date on both current and new rules and procedures which change from time to
time. As stated in the 1999-2005 Strategic Plan for Swimming Natation Canada,
the intention is to establish a re-certification program as a strategic objective
for Officials Development in Canada. SNC intends this re-certification exercise
to be an appropriate initiative in fulfilling this strategic objective.
Directions: This re-certification exercise is a combination of a multiple
choice and a true-false format. Situations are based on the FINA, Canadian, and
SNC designated National competition rules as they are found in the FINA and
Canadian Rulebooks. Officials should review these technical swimming rules in order
to be able to participate in the discussions generated by the scenarios presented.
When answering these questions, officials should circle the correct letter, keeping
in mind that there may be more than one correct answer for any given situation.
The National Officials Committee considers this as an exercise that supplements
and reinforces material covered in Officials Clinics given at the provincial level.
Consequently, it is intended that this seminar be conducted with "open rulebooks"
and clinic material ready to support and discuss the situations presented.
You will notice that there are rule references attached to many of the questions
and answers for purposes of discussion and verification of correct answers.
It is hoped that this re-certification be taken by all Level IV and V certified
officials within the next two years, beginning September 2001. When completed,
please fax, email or snailmail to the
Swim BC Provincial Officials Director
1603 Beaconsfield Cres, Comox BC V9M 1B4
Tel 250-339-7446, Fax 250-339-7486
pjenkins@telus.net
Timekeeper:
1. The Head Lane Timer shall: (CSW 2.12.1)
a. Determine that the proper swimmer is in his/her lane
b. Determine that relay swimmers are swimming in the order listed on the time card
c. Both a & b
d. None of the above
2. An Automatic Timing System is one that is activated by the Starter and is stopped by the swimmer
touching the touchpad at the end of the race.
a. True b. False
3. When semi-automatic timing equipment is used the clock is stopped by an official at the end of a race.
a. True b. False
4. In meets in Canada, place judges are not used, but it is the referee who must write down the order of
finish at the end of each race in case of any timing malfunctions.
a. True b. False
Stroke & Turn Judges:
5. In Breaststroke, if the hands recover over the water, what part of the body must be under the water
except on the final stroke at the turns and at the finish? (SW 7.3)
a. The hands
b. Arms
c. Elbows
d. Feet
6. In Breaststroke, at the turns and finish, it is permissible for a shoulder to be dropped after the final arm
pull prior to the touch. (SW 7.2)
a. True b. False
7. In Breaststroke, no alternating movements are permitted while stroking breaststroke, and: (SW 7.2)
a. The arms and legs must be horizontal
b. All movements of the arms, legs, and shoulders must be simultaneous and horizontal
c. All movements of the arms only must be simultaneous
d. All movements of the arms and legs must be simultaneous and horizontal
8. In Butterfly, at the turns and finish, it is permissible for a shoulder to be "dropped" and not horizontal to
the normal water surface after the final arm pull prior to the touch. (SW 8.4)
a. True b. False
9. In Butterfly, after the turn, once the swimmer loses contact with the wall and before the first armstroke:
a. The shoulders must be horizontal to the normal water surface
b. The swimmer may be in any position before the first armstroke
c. The swimmer must be beyond the vertical toward the breast, up to, but not including, 90 degrees
10. In Butterfly, a breaststroke kicking movement is not permitted under Fina rules. (SW 8.3)
a. True b. False
11. In Backstroke, if after turning past vertical toward the breast to make a turn, the swimmer: (SW 6.4)
a. May glide to get into position prior to initiating an arm pull
b. May complete the arm pull then kick independently to initiate the turning action
c. May not kick once the body turns onto the breast
d. Shall ensure that any kick or arm pull must be part of the continuous turning action
12. In Backstroke, after turning past vertical toward the breast to make a turn,
a swimmer does a "flip " turn but misses the wall, the swimmer: (SW 6.4)
a. May swim back to the wall in any manner to make the touch without being disqualified
b. May scull backwards on the back until the feet touch the wall and not be disqualified
c. Is disqualified
13. In Backstroke, when finishing, the swimmer may be completely submerged at the touch: (SW 6.5)
a. True b. False
14. In Backstroke, after each turn, once the feet loose contact with the wall: (SW 6.4)
a. The swimmer must be on the back with shoulders in a horizontal position to the water surface
b. The swimmer may be in any position prior to the first armstroke
c. The swimmer must be beyond the vertical toward the back, up to, but not including, 90 degrees
15. Plunger times or watches only indicate when a swimmer touches the wall and do not indicate anything
about relay takeovers as being "early takeovers" or "good takeovers".
a. True b. False
Freestyle:
16. If a swimmer elects to swim the backstroke in an individual freestyle event, he or she: (SW 4.2)
a. May alter the stroke at any time during the race
b. Must adhere to backstroke rules for the entire length of the race
c. May start the race in the water
17. In the 800/1500m freestyle, the warning signal must be sounded: (SW 2.5.4)
a. From the backstroke flags into the wall and out to the backstroke flags again
b. Continuously from the backstroke flags into the wall only
c. At two lengths plus five meters to swim, and may also be repeated after the turn and until the
swimmer has reached the 5 meter mark.
Individual Medley:
18. When changing from one stroke to another in the IM, the swimmer's turns shall conform to the: (SW 9.3)
a. Turn rules for the stroke just completed
b. Finish rules for the stroke just completed
c. Freestyle rules
Relays:
19. In the freestyle leg of a medley relay, a swimmer may use: (SW 5.1)
a. The "crawl" stroke only
b. Any stroke(s) other than breaststroke, butterfly, or backstroke
c. Any stroke(s) the swimmer chooses
20. In relay events, if a swimmer on a team commits an infraction of an early takeover: (SW 10.10)
a. The team is automatically disqualified
b. The swimmer must return to the starting platform to avoid disqualification
c. The swimmer may return to touch the wall to avoid disqualification
21. All 50m and 100m splits shall be recorded for lead-off swimmers in relays. (SW 11.6)
a. True b. False
SWADS:
22. When judging swimmers with physical disabilities, a judge should:
a. Judge in accordance with Fina rules for any part of the body that is functional
b. Not judge a part of the body that is disabled
c. Base judgment on actual rules, not the swimmer's technique
d. All of the above
23. When there is a deaf or hard-of-hearing swimmer in a heat, the starter shall:
a. Do nothing different
b. Advise the field that there is a deaf or hard-of-hearing swimmer in the heat
c. Advise the swimmers of the location of the strobe light flash
24. Blind or visually impaired swimmers may be notified they are approaching a turn
or the finish by use of a sound device or a padded tapping pole
a. True b. False
Starts:
25. A series of short interrupted whistles from the referee indicates to the
swimmers to step up on the blocks: (SW 2.1.5)
a. True b. False
26. The referee shall signal to the starter with an outstretched arm that the
swimmers are under the Starter's command. (SW 2.1.5)
a. True b. False
27. Prior to the referee giving the starting signal for a forward start, swimmers must have: (SW 4.2)
a. At least one foot at the front of the block
b. Feet positioned anywhere on the block
c. Both feet at the front of the block
28. If a swimmer elects to swim backstroke in a freestyle event, he/she must: (SW 4.2)
a. Do a backstroke start in the water
b. Start from the block or platform
c. Do a forward start in the water
d. None of the above
29. In the backstroke and medley relay events, the second long whistle signals
the swimmers to return without undue delay to the starting position. (SW 2.1.5)
a. True
b. False
General:
30. It is permissible for a swimmer to be completely submerged for a distance of
not more than 15m after the start and after each turn at which time the head must
have broken the surface in:
a. Butterfly
b. Backstroke
c. Freestyle
d. All of the above
31. The racing lanes must always be numbered from right to left when facing the course
from behind the starting blocks except in 50m events in long course meets. (SW 3.1.2)
a. True b. False
32. The referee may call a false start if the starter fails to do so. (SW 4.7)
a. True b. False
33. The order of finish for all swimmers is established by comparing automatic
electronic times and manual times equally. (SW 13.4.1)
a. True b. False
34. If the referee observes a relay takeoff violation which the relay Takeoff Judge
failed to call, the referee may not overrule the official. (SW 2.1.6)
a. True b. False
35. If the lead-off swimmer on a relay team sets a record, but the relay team is disqualified because of an
infraction in a subsequent leg, the record is made null and void. (SW 11.5)
a. True b. False
36. In events with more than one heat, a minimum of three swimmers shall be seeded into any preliminary
heat, but due to scratches only one swimmer may actually swim. (SW 3.1.1.5)
a. True b. False
37. The time achieved by a swimmer in a swim-off shall be the official time used
in seeding that swimmer in finals. (CSW 3.4.2)
a. True b. False
38. The time achieved in a swim-off to determine placement or break a tie cannot
be claimed as a record even if automatic timing equipment is used. (CSW 3.4.2)
a. True b. False
39. If a swimmer in the consolation finals is disqualified, the first alternate
is awarded the points for 16th place.
a. True b. False
40. Awards shall not be made nor points given for any race which has been formally
protested until the protest has been resolved or officially withdrawn.
a. True b. False
41. A pool survey to include measurement of each lane must be certified by: (CFR 1.3.1)
a. A qualified surveyor only
b. Either a surveyor or a qualified official appointed or approved by the provincial section or SNC
c. Only the meet manager
42. Automatic Officiating Equipment (electronics), when operating correctly, shall
always have precedence over timekeepers using plungers or watches. (SW 13.1)
a. True b. False
43. When electronics fail or there is a "light touch", the official time
shall be that shown by the three digital watches or plungers. (SW 13.2.3.3)
a. True b. False
44. A possible malfunction of the electronics should be considered when there is a difference between
digital watches/plungers and the automatic time equal to or greater than: (CFJ Clinic pg. 7)
a. 1 second
b. .5 second
c. .30 second
d. .03 second
e.
45. Electronic times and official Manual Times are treated equally. (SW 13.3.2)
a. True b. False
46. A swimmer who stops swimming in a distance or any other event, either due to miscounting laps or due
to an official indicating that the swimmer has completed the race, must themselves be responsible to
finish the whole distance. (SW 10.1)
A. True b. False
General Rules GR 1-12 (rulebook)
47. How long must a swimmer changing clubs have to wait before he/she has the right
to represent the new club in competition? (CGR 5.3)
a. 30 days
b. 60 days
c. 6 months
d. 1 year
48. Under the "expunge" rule, a mistake by an official (ex: a starter
allowing a "ragged start") followed by a swimmer who false started,
should result in: (GR 8.3)
a. Swimmer is disqualified, and restart the race with the remaining swimmers
b. Allow the race to continue, but the swimmer is disqualified after the race
c. Recall the race, and restart it with no disqualifications
d. Ignore the early start because of the starter's mistake and let the race continue
49. A "decision of fact" requires: (GR 10.3.1)
a. The official calling the disqualification be qualified in that position
b. The official is standing in the correct position to make the call
c. The DQ slip must be correctly filled out
d. All of the above
50. A protest must be submitted in writing to the referee: (GR 10.3.2)
a. Within 1 hour of the infraction
b. Within 1 hour after the conclusion of the heat
c. Within 30 minutes of the infraction
d. Within 30 minutes after the conclusion of the event
Swimming Rules SW 1-13 (rulebook)
51. If a swimmer mounts the block after the referee has turned the race over to
the starter with an outstretched arm, the referee and starter should: (CSW 2.1.6.6)
a. Step swimmers down, then recall all swimmers to the block again with a long whistle
b. Continue on and start the race with the late swimmer
c. Ask swimmers to step down and disqualify the swimmer as a late scratch
d. Swim the race and disqualify the late swimmer at the end
52. When a starter reports a swimmer to the referee for delaying the start before
the starting signal is given, the referee shall: (SW 2.2.2)
a. Speak to the swimmer but not charge any infraction
b. Ask all swimmers to "step down" then disqualify the swimmer for "delay of meet".
53. A head lane timekeeper notices during a race that his/her assigned swimmer is
swimming in the wrong lane and reports it to the referee. The referee should: (CSW 2.12.1)
a. Disqualify the swimmer for this error
b. Re-swim the race with the swimmer in the correct lane
c. Expunge the swimmer's mistake due to the head lane timekeeper's error in not
determining the proper swimmer in his/her lane.
54. The Safety Marshal is responsible for pool depth requirements and ensuring
warmup procedures are followed. (CSW 2.12.4)
a. True b. False
55. Unlike in other events, Time-Finals in 800/1500m events should be swum "fastest
to slowest" with the fastest heat swimming in finals at night. (CSW 3.5.1)
a. True b. False
56. Class Two Time Trials are only used for sanctioned record attempts. (CSW 3.6.2)
a. True b. False
57. If the starting signal sounds before a disqualification is declared, the race
shall continue and the DQ is made after the race. (SW 4.5)
a. True b. False
58. If a swimmer commits a false start before the starting signal is given, what should the referee do,
keeping in mind a possible protest and a Jury of Appeal upholding it? (SW 4.7)
a. Not let the swimmer swim, but re-swim the race with the swimmer if a Jury upholds a protest
b. Allow the swimmer to swim and await the decision of the Jury of Appeal
c. Not let the swimmer swim, and if a Jury upholds the protest, the swimmer swims on his own.
59. Swim-offs may not take place less than one hour after swimmers involved in
the swim-off have completed their heats: (SW 3.2.3)
a. True b. False
60. When a disqualification occurs, the swimmer or coach must be informed: (CSW 2.1.6.3)
a. Immediately after the race
b. Within 15 minutes after the swimmer's race
c. Within a half-hour after the swimmer's race
d. Before the next event starts
Designated National Meet Rules (Appendix A in rulebook)
61. "SNC Rules" 1.0 to 1.7 apply to all Canadian meets, while SNC 2.1
- SNC 6.2 apply to designated National Meets only. (Appendix A)
a. True b. False
62. In Short Course meets, a long course time which betters a short course standard
is seeded without conversion. (SNC 1.3.4)
a. True b. False
63. Individual high point scores for meets in Canada are permitted based on: (SNC 1.6.1)
a. The national scoring standard of 5-2-1
b. Any point system provided it is published in the Meet Information package
c. Both a & b
64. No individual points are awarded for: (SNC 1.6)
a. Failure to meet the qualifying time for an event
b. Deck entries, exhibition swims, and relay events
c. Disqualified swimmers in individual events
d. All of the above
65. Seeding order in Long Course meets shall be as follows: (SNC 3.2.7)
a. Convert Short Course qualifying times and seed with Long Course times
b. Seed Long Course times which meet the Long Course qualifying standard before
Short Course times which meet the Short Course standard
c. Seed Long Course times and unconverted Short Course times together
66. Seeding order in Short Course meets shall be: (SNC 3.2.7 & SNC 1.3.4)
a. Long Course qualifying times are seeded before Short Course times
b. Long Course times and Short Course times are seeded together
c. Both Long & Short Course times that meet the Short Course Standard are seeded together,
followed by Long Course times that meet the Long Course Standard
67. In National Meets, the only scratch deadline for individual events for each
day's heats is 8:00 p.m. the night before Day 1 of the competition. (SNC 3.4)
a. True b. False
68. In designated National Meets, relay name changes are permitted up to 30 minutes
before the start of relays. (SNC 3.4.2)
a. True b. False
69. In National Meets, the last scratch deadline without penalty for Finals is: (SNC 3.4.3)
a. 30 minutes after heats that day
b. 30 minutes after finals the previous night
c. 15 minutes prior to the start of the Finals session
d. None of the above
70. In National meets, penalties for scratches are assessed only in Finals. (SNC 3.4.4)
a. True b. False