November 10, 2000

NO RECALL STARTS will be required for all Wisconsin sanctioned swim meets beginning December 1, 2000. The no recall starting procedure is copied on the back of this letter.

Consistent with the recommendation of the Officials Committee, I announced at the October 24, 2000 LSC House of Delegates meeting, that the use of the no recall starting procedure shall become mandatory effective December 1, 2000, for all USA sanctioned or approved meets. Some, but certainly not all, coaches were present to get this information. So, we as officials need to make sure that announcements are made at the coaches and timers meetings prior to the start of the meet, so they are aware that the no recall starting procedure is being used. Also, at the beginning of each session, we should make an announcement for the benefit of the swimmers and parents. This may only need to be done for a short while until everyone is aware of the no recall starts.

I�m confident that this change will go smoothly, just as the conversion to whistle starts did.

Good luck!
 
 

Susan Zblewski, Wisconsin Swimming Officials Chair

cc: Barb Stirn
Carol Graham
Meet Directors
Club Presidents

(effective Summer, 1999 for all Grand Prix events and Junior and National Championship events)

RATIONALE
The first start generally is the swimmer�s best effort. Therefore, swimmers should not be penalized for a good start by having a race recalled due to someone false starting. Under the "no recall" starting procedure, the penalty for a false start is imposed on the offender after completion of the swim. This starting procedure, however, emphasizes swimmer�s responsibility to concentrate on the start and the race and not be affected by actions of the other swimmers on the blocks. If confirmed by the Referee, swimmer�s reaction to the movement by another swimmer could result in a disqualification or at the very least, in a delayed response to the start signal. Also note that, under this procedure, informing the athletes about a disqualification for a false start after the event is consistent with all other disqualifications under the swimming rules.

STARTER�S RESPONSIBILITIES
Usual National Championship starting procedures will be in place, except that, if a false start occurs, no recall signal will be given. Instead, the Starter shall allow the race to proceed and shall make a written record and immediately report to the Referee the lane or lanes which false started. Any other observation by the starter or information relative to the start should also be reported.

If, after assuming the starting position on the command "take your mark" a swimmer leaves their mark prior the start signal and the Starter has time to give the "stand" command, no signal shall be given and the offending swimmer will be disqualified by the Referee or a Referee�s designee after confirming the lane with the Starter. All other swimmers entering the water in reaction to the "stand" command shall be released. The starter shall inform the heat by saying "please remain motionless" or "second start" and shall restart the heat.

The Starter may recall a heat for unusual circumstances, such as a lane line break, sudden noise interfering with the start signal, or anything that may affect fair conduct of the race.

REFEREE�S RESPONSIBILITIES
The Referee shall use the current National Championship procedure for initiating a race and shall observe each start for movement prior to the signal and other irregularities. The Referee shall record the observations immediately after the start, but shall allow the race to continue without recall. If the Referee and Starter independently agree on the infraction and the lane or lanes, the swimmer or swimmers in those lanes shall be charged with a false start. The referee or a designee shall inform swimmers of the violation upon completion of the race. No false start can be charged if a heat is instinctively recalled by the Starter and the heat shall be restarted. In the 50 meter races, notification of the infraction will be communicated by the referee or the chief judge at the starting end to the chief judge at the finish end who then will inform the athlete of the infraction.

RECALL STARTER
A recall starter will not be used with this procedure. The starter shall have full responsibility of ensuring that proper starting procedures are implemented and enforced.