CHAPTER 2.

TECHNICAL
OFFICIALS AN
D
FUNDAMENT
AL
SKILLS IN
SWIMMING
 OBJE
C TIVES

Explain the importance

01
of knowing roles of
Technical Officials in
Swimming.
PRE-DISCUSSION

Officials in swimming share the duties and

obligations of the officer during the game.
Understanding the position of technical
officials in swimming will help you maintain
control of players and spectators.
Official Technical Functions Roles of Timekeeper and
Chief Time Keeper

• Using a stopwatch (manual timing) or a plunger

(semi-automatic timing), a timekeeper takes the time
of swimmers out on the pool deck in their
designated lane. Three timekeepers per lane are
needed if an automatic timing system is not
available.
• It is where this is not feasible. It is also often preferred
by several Timekeepers per lane. All other
timekeepers are supervised by a Chief Timekeeper
and allocated to lanes, as needed.
Role of Check Starter

A check starter is placed on the pool deck

and collects the swimmers and race sheets
from the Course Clerk (Marshal) and is then
responsible for ensuring that the
swimmers are in the right event and lane,
before lining them up behind the blocks.
Role of Check Starter

A Starter is placed on the pool deck and, from the

moment the referee hands over until the beginning of
the race, has complete control over the swimmers. A
Starter signals swimmers by saying, 'take your mark' and
then starts the race using a starting mechanism, which
typically sounds like a loud beep or horn. There are
three stages to a Starter:
Clerk of Course Role

A Course clerk, formerly known as a

Marshal, checks in pre-event
swimmers or generally in a marshaling
room or the similar and organizes heat
swimmers,
recording scratches or withdrawals,
and no shows.
Inspector of Turns and Chief Inspector of Turns
Roles

An Inspector of Turns is located at either end of the

pool deck to ensure that swimmers comply with
the relevant rules when starting/finishing the race
and
turning between laps. The Chief Inspector of Turns
is responsible for overseeing the work of all Turns
Inspectors.
 Judge of Stroke Role

A Stroke Judge walks up and down the side of the

pool, following the swimmers, to ensure that they
meet the rules for the stroke. They also help with
the duties of Inspector of Turns.
Role of Chief Recorder

The Chief Recorder, formerly known as

Recorder, is located in the control room and is
responsible for holding accurate results during
the meeting.
Role of Finish Judge

A Finish Judge is put on the pool deck at the

end to decide the order of finish when using
Manual or Semi-Automatic timing or if fewer
than 3 timekeepers are used per lane.
An Operator of AOE & SAT Roles

Automatic Officiating Equipment (AOE) or Semi-Automatic

Timing Equipment (SAT) Operators are located in the control
room, track the Automatic Officer Equipment (AOE) or
Semi-Automatic Timing Equipment (SAT) and play an
important role in ensuring that the times and positions for
each swimmer are correctly registered.
 Role of Referee
A referee is put on the pool deck and is responsible for both swimmers
and officials, ensuring that all rules of swimming and competition are
complied with and making essential decisions on race conditions. Until
handing it over to the starter, a referee can use their whistle to warn
swimmers, officials, and spectators. Three stages of referee exist:

Level 1 Referee- Competitions for the Club / Region;

Level 2 Referee- Competitions of State and below; ü Level 3 Referee -
National Competitions and below.

Many referees can also opt to complete their accreditation

'Referee Multi Class.
Role of Technical Manager

The Technical Manager oversees the meeting

as well as all other Technical Officials; it is
their duty to ensure that the meeting is held
in a reasonable manner.
Various Technical Official Roles

Pool deck technical officials: Control room technical officials:

• Referee
• Announcer
• Starter • Control Room Supervisor
• Timekeeper & Chief Timekeeper • AOE or SAT Operator
• Clerk of Course (Marshal)
• Meet Manager Operator
• Check Starter • Chief Recorder
• Judge of Stroke
• Technical Manager
• Inspector of Turns
• Finish Judge
 OBJE
C TIVES

Assess and demonstrate

the types of swimming
01 strokes, types of floats,
and types of swimming
kicks.
PRE-DISCUSSION

Learning basic skills in swimming is not only

necessary for competition but for lifesaving. This
type of strokes includes freestyle, backstroke,
breaststroke, butterfly, elementary backstroke,
and sidestroke. Moreover, the types of floating
and swimming kicks are also needed for learning
skills.
Types of Swimming Strokes
Competitive Strokes - Freestyle

Freestyle is a competition category established by the

Federation International Swimming Federation (FINA) regulations, in
which athletes are subject to a restricted number of restrictions on
their swimming strokes. Of all swimming events, freestyle races are
the most common, with distances starting at 50 meters (50 yards)
and reaching 1500 meters (1650 yards), also known as the mile.
Usually the word 'freestyle stroke' is used as a synonym for 'front
crawl, as the fastest swimming stroke is the front crawl. In freestyle
competitions, it is now the most common stroke used.
Competitive Strokes - Freestyle
 Competitive Strokes - Freestyle

Head Position
• The head is in line with the spine;
• Look down at the pool bottom, slightly forward; and
• Turn the chin to the shoulder to breathe, no head lift.
Body Position
• Flat horizontal position in the water;
• No up/down movements of the hips;
• No snake-like (sideward) movement of the body; and
check Proper and equal body roll on long axis.
 Competitive Strokes - Freestyle

Breathing
• The head turns in time with the body roll;
• No lifting or jerking of the head for breath;
• Breathe at the “open” part of the arms cycle (one side
only);
• Breathe to the most comfortable side (no difference if
the right or left hand is dominant) when the
opposite arm is forward; and ü Breathe low to the
water level.
 Competitive Strokes - Freestyle

Arms
• Flat hands enter the water fingertips first, elbow and wrist up, in
front of the shoulder;
• Catch in the initial part of the pull, not hurried;
• The deep catch with the elbow higher than the hand;
• Push/pull of the flat hand near the “midline” of the body;
• Acceleration of the hands throughout the push/pull
• Bend in the elbow under the body during the pull;
• Finish the pull at the thigh with no delay;
• High elbow and shoulder recovery;
• Elbow leads the hand in the recovery; and
• The arms are a mirror image of each other Legs (flutter kick)
 Competitive Strokes - Freestyle

Arms
• The kick originates from the hip;
• The soles of the feet churn the surface, “boil water,” feet stay under the surface;
• The proper knee bend, kick up and down;
• Proper depth of kick 12”-14”;
• Timing of the kick to the arm stroke
• six-beat kick b. two-beat kick c. four-beat kick d. eight beat kick

Coordination Push-off
• Drop under the water;
• Hands overhead – arms against the ears ;
• Feet hip-width on the wall 14”-16” below the surface, 90-degree bend in the
knees; and
• Push off, streamlined body position, elevate fingertips to reach the surface at
swimming speed. Start the kick while the body is underwater.
 Competitive Strokes - Breaststroke

Breaststroke is a type of swimming in which the swimmer is on their

chest and the body will not rotate. Due to the swimmers head being
out of the water a large portion of the time and that it can swim
easily at slow speeds, it is the most common recreational type.
Second, beginners practice either the breaststroke or the freestyle
(front crawl) at most swimming courses. But swimming the
breaststroke at speed at the competitive level needs equal stamina
and strength to other strokes. Some people refer to the breaststroke
as the "frog" stroke, as the arms and legs move in the water much like
a frog. The stroke itself is the slowest of all competitive strokes and
the oldest of all swimming strokes are considered to be.
Competitive Strokes - Breaststroke
Competitive Strokes - Breaststroke

Head Position
• Chin at water level when inhaling;
• Look down at the bottom of the pool when exhaling; and
• Head moves chin to hairline approximately 8”.

Breathing
• A breath is taken late in the arm pull; and
• A breath is taken at proper sequence with the arms and legs. Body
Position
• Good horizontal alignment;
• The complete stretch of the body between strokes.
Competitive Strokes - Breaststroke

Arms (20% of stroke effort)

• The complete stretch of the arms, in downhill position, prior to the
pull;
• The initial part of the pull is outward with no slippage of the hands;
• Elbows are up to throughout the pull;
• Acceleration of the hands throughout the pull, no hesitation under
the chin;
• Correct depth and trace “heart-shaped” pattern with the hands;
• Use hands as effective “paddles”;
• Hands must not travel too far back in the pull (not past shoulders).
Competitive Strokes - Breaststroke

Legs (80% of stroke effort) “Whip Kick”

• The complete stretch of the legs with toes pointed during the glide
phase;
• Proper recovery of the feet tops proper position;
• Proper catch of the feet with heels close to the buttocks ;
• Not bringing the knees and thighs forward on leg recovery;
• Feet push out and back on the power thrust;
• Feet accelerate throughout the kick; and
• Proper timing of the legs to arms and breathing Coordination
• Pull – breath – reach – kick – glide
 Competitive Strokes - Backstroke

One of the four swimming styles used in FINA governed sporting

events is backstroke or back crawl, and the only one swum on the
back of these styles. This form of swimming has the benefit of being
quick to breathe, but the downside of being unable to see where they
are heading. It also begins differently from the other three swimming
types in the competition. The type of swimming is similar to a
freestyle or front crawl upside down. The long axis strokes are both
backstroke and front crawl. The second style swum is in individual
medley backstroke; the first style swum is in the medley relay.
Competitive Strokes - Backstroke
 Competitive Strokes - Backstroke

Head Position
• Back;
• Steady;
• The water level at the ears;
• Chin near the chest Body Position
• Chest high;
• Hips and thighs at the surface of the water;
• Knees down, feet up, toes pointed;
• Relaxed appearance;
• Complete stretch
 Competitive Strokes - Backstroke

Arms
• Recover-little finger enters water first;
• Straight elbow in recovery (no water in the face);
• Hands enter the water above the shoulders (one o’clock – eleven o’clock
position);
• Deep catch at about 12” deep;
• Start to bend the elbow when the hands get to the shoulder level in the pull;
• Hands pull in an “S” pattern (bent arm pull) adjusting to the water pressure
at the proper depth;
• The arms are directly opposite each other (direct opposition);
• Continuous stroking without pause at the start or completion of the stroke,
alternating arms;
• Proper hand entry/angle into the water, little finger first;
• Proper positioning (pitch) of the hand and wrist throughout the stroke
 Competitive Strokes - Backstroke

Legs (flutter kick)

• The toes are pointed, ankle extended;
• The knees and feet remain below the surface –
“silent kick” ;
• Continuous “boiling” action of the water over the
feet;
• The kick originates from the hip; and check Kick
down as well as up.
 Competitive Strokes - Backstroke

Coordination
• Proper timing – kick to arms
• Six beat kick Breathing
• Continuous breathing pattern, no breath-holding. Inhale on one
arm, exhale on the other arm. Push Off
• Hands are overhead, together, fingers elevated;
• Feet are below the surface on the wall, knees bent at 90 degrees,
feet are hip-width apart;
• Drop under, extend legs, start kick, streamlined;
• Exhale through the nose, mouth closed, the stream of air bubbles;
and,
• Reach the surface before taking the first stroke
 Competitive Strokes - Butterfly

The butterfly is a swimming stroke swum on the chest, with

both arms rising symmetrically, followed by the butterfly
kick also known as the "dolphin kick". Although other types
can be swum sufficiently by beginners, such as breaststroke,
front crawl, or backstroke, the butterfly is a more
challenging stroke that requires both good technique and
powerful muscles. It is the newest competition swum in the
swimming form, first swum in 1933 and derived from the
breaststroke.
Competitive Strokes - Butterfly
 Competitive Strokes - Butterfly

Head Position
• Exhale with the head down, looking at the bottom, chin near the
chest;
• Inhale with the head up, chin on the water level, looking forward;
• The head must move to get body undulation. The body follows the
head. Breathing
• Breathe at the proper time in pull – late;
• The head must precede the hands into the water – dive into the
stroke; and
• Proper rhythmic breathing pattern. Body Position
• Shoulders near-surface; and
• Hips close to surface
 Competitive Strokes - Butterfly

Arms
• Hands enter the water first, proper width, elbows up, little splash;
• Catch the water with the proper hand and wrist action;
• Proper “S” shape pull pattern (hourglass, keyhole pull pattern);
• Elbows up throughout the stroke;
• Acceleration through push/pulls phase;
• Ballistic-like follow through on recovery;
• Proper depth of arms through stroke;
• Lift of shoulders and elbows into recovery; and
• Butterfly not “butter style”
 Competitive Strokes - Butterfly

Legs (dolphin kick)

• Two beat kick for each arm cycle;

• Whip-like action of legs and feet;
• Feet “bounce” up after each down kick;
• Feet cause water to “boil” without breaking surface; and
• Knees bend at beginning of down kick – straighten
• hyper-extension at the end of the kick Coordination
• Proper timing – head, arms, legs, breathing; and
• Down kick on entry on hands, down kick on the exit of hands
 Non - Competitive Strokes - Elementary Backstroke

The Elementary Backstroke is a swimming stroke

that uses basic arm and leg motions to consume
minimal energy. This backstroke involves no complex
breathing technique, since the head of the swimmer
never goes underwater. Often used as a recovery or
rescue stroke, one of the most calming swimming
strokes is often considered to be the simple
backstroke.
Non - Competitive Strokes - Elementary Backstroke
 Non - Competitive Strokes - Elementary Backstroke

Head Position
• The water level is slightly above the ears; and check The
face is clear of the water at all times.

Body Position
• Back straight;
• Legs and hips slightly lower than the head and shoulders;
and
• Hips remain near the surface at all times
 Non - Competitive Strokes - Elementary Backstroke

Arms
• Recover the hands up the body to shoulder height;
• Extend the hands away from the sides; and
• Pull both hands at the same time, from the shoulders, past the
• hips, to the thighs Legs - Whip
• Heels drew down below the knees;
• Heels about as wide as the hips;
• Ankles flexed; and
• Circle heels wider than the knees (whip kick)
 Non - Competitive Strokes - Elementary Backstroke

Breathing
• Inhale as you recover the arms and legs; and
• Exhale during the pull/kick phase into the glide.
 
Coordination
• The arms pull and the legs kick at the same time;
• The arms and legs recover at the same time; and
• Emphasize glide at the end of each stroke (arm pull and leg kick)
 Non - Competitive Strokes - Sidestroke

The sidestroke is a swimming stroke, so-called because the

swimmer is lying on one side with asymmetric arm and
leg movement and is useful as a lifesaving technique and
is also used for swimming long distances. The sidestroke
helps the swimmer to have improved stamina, since instead
of concurrently working arms and legs, the sidestroke uses
them concurrently but differently.
Non - Competitive Strokes - Sidestroke
 Non - Competitive Strokes - Sidestroke

Head Position
• Lower the ear in the water close to the shoulder;
• The mouth and nose should be clear of the water to permit easy
breathing;
• Look slightly backward for the best body position; and
• Occasionally glance forward to be aware of where you are going

Body Position (glide)

• Lie on the side, horizontal to the surface, straight alignment;
• Legs together, one ankle directly on top of the other, toes pointed;
• Lower arm extended overhead;
• Top arm resting at the side, extended toward the feet
 Non - Competitive Strokes - Sidestroke

Arms
• Pull overhead arm as trailing arm recovers;
• Hands meet near the breast bone;
• Change angles of hands at proper position;
• Recover overhead arm as the trailing arm does the pull/
push phase; and
• Exaggerate glide in streamlined position
 Non - Competitive Strokes - Sidestroke

Legs – regular or inverted scissors kick Regular scissors kick

• Draw the heels toward the seat, flex hips and knees;
• Extend the top of the leg forward, bottom leg backward;
• Draw both legs together in action of scissors cutting; and
• Stop the legs with one directly on top of the other Inverted scissors
kick
• The top leg stays back; and
• The bottom leg goes forward. Coordination
• Pull the overhead arm as trailing arm and legs recover;
• Change the pitch of the hands as the top leg extends forward (the
direction you are facing);
• Recover overhead arm as legs kick and trailing arm pushes; check
Emphasize glide position.
 Types of Swimming Floats

Typically people float to varying degrees, often in

various ways. The degree of buoyancy depends on
many factors: bone, muscle, fat, air in the lungs and
other organs, and fluids (e.g., blood) are the
predominant constituent matters in humans.
Types of Swimming Floats - Survival Float

The survival float requires very little energy, making it

perfect for circumstances where they don't know how long
they’re going to have to remain afloat. Sit underwater on
the back with the arms and legs hanging. Push the head
back up and out of the water when they need to breathe
while bringing their arms and legs down. Keep it and relax
absolutely for a few seconds after it take in a breath to drop
back into the water. Exhale when they pull face back out of
the water when you need to breathe again.
Types of Swimming Floats - Survival Float
Types of Swimming Floats - Drown proofing

Drown proofing is a strategy to survive without sinking or

drowning in water catastrophe situations. Drown proofing
was created by swimming instructor Fred Lanoue, because
of his limping gait known to students as Crankshaft.

It was taught for the first time in 1940. His approach was so
popular that it gained national attention, and, until 1988,
Georgia Tech soon made it a graduation requirement.
Learning to float in different positions helps to grasp water's
lifting impact.
Types of Swimming Floats - Drown proofing
Types of Swimming Floats - Horizontal Back Float

Horizontal Back Float

People don't use a lot of energy when doing the horizontal
back float and they remain reasonably relaxed. People lie in
the water with their back slightly arched, the arms straight
out to the sides and the legs in the horizontal back float. The
face won't go underwater and the legs will float if they're
comfortable.
Types of Swimming Floats - Horizontal Back Float
Types of Swimming Floats - Vertical Back Float

Vertical Back Float

The face stays above the water in the vertical back float, as
in the horizontal back float, but less of the body floats above
the water in the vertical back float. The legs drop down
below the surface while the upper chest and face stay out of
the water. Keep the arms extended, and kick only when
remaining afloat becomes necessary.
Types of Swimming Floats - Vertical Back Float
Types of Swimming Kicks - Flutter Kick
Types of Swimming Kicks - Dolphin Kick
Types of Swimming Kicks - Scissor Kick
Types of Swimming Kicks - Whip or Frog Kick
Types of Swimming Kicks - Eggbeater Kick
THANK
YOU