2024 Starter AND Stroke and Turn Certification Assessment

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Thank you for requesting re-certification as a Starter AND Stroke & Turn Judge via assessment. Each question has only one correct answer. Individuals must score 80% in order to be certified as a Starter AND Stroke & Turn Judge for the 2024 MHSL Season. (All content was provided by USA Swimming)

Slide Deck from Training

Review the following documents to support with your responses, as needed.

Individual Medley Rules

Relays

2024 USA Swimming Rule Book

Starter Video

Should you have any questions, please reach out!

Wish you well,

Rachel Langberg

Officials Chair

Mountain High Swim League

(919)809-2426

Email *

First Name *

Last Name *

Phone number *

Team Name *

Seasons officiating as a Stroke and Turn Judge (not including this season) *

Seasons officiating as a Starter (not including this season) *

1. A young swimmer approaches the turn of the 50 yard backstroke. The swimmer rolls from the back to the breast, takes a single arm pull, and initiates the turn. After completing one full flip turn, the swimmer misses the wall and does another somersault turn, touching the wall this time, leaves on the back, and finishes the race. The turn judge raises their hand. Should the swimmer be disqualified?

See Rule 101.4

1 point

Yes

2. A swimmer approaches a turn during a backstroke event. The swimmer rolls from the back to the breast, takes a single arm pull, a double arm pull, and then initiates the turn. The turn judge raises their hand. Should the swimmer be disqualified?
*

1 point

Yes

3. An official is observing turns in the 100 yard backstroke. He sees a swimmer that appears to be past vertical towards the breast after flipping and raises his hand to report an infraction. Upon further investigation by the referee, the referee determines that the official did not know the location of the swimmer’s feet when he observed the shoulders. Should the swimmer be disqualified?

See Rule 101.4

1 point

Yes

4. A swimmer begins the freestyle leg of the individual medley with a few legal breaststroke strokes. The judge raises their hand to signal an infraction. Should the swimmer be disqualified?

See Rule 101.6 and 101.5

1 point

Yes

5. A relay take-off judge makes note of an early take-off observation for the second swimmer of the relay team in lane 2. He observed the first swimmer touch the wall, and then observed that the second swimmer had already left the block. Should the swimmer be disqualified? See Rule 101.7
*

1 point

Yes

6. Approaching the finish of the backstroke, a swimmer submerges completely underwater, thinking it achieves a faster finish. Should you raise your hand?

See Rule 101.4

1 point

It depends. If some part of the head has not passed the 5 meter mark (or 5 yard mark in short course), then you should raise your hand.

It depends. If some part of the head has passed the 5 meter mark (or 5 yard mark in short course), then you should raise your hand.

7. A swimmer completes their butterfly event with a two-hand touch. One hand was under the water and one hand was out of the water, above the water surface, on this simultaneous finish. Should you raise your hand?

See Rule 101.3

1 point

Yes

8. A swimmer is 7 years old and sometimes struggles when swimming the butterfly. When they recover their arms, the entirety of both arms barely break the surface of the water, but there is no visible space between the arms and the water. Should you raise your hand?

See Rule 101.3 and Glossary

1 point

Yes

9. In a freestyle event, the swimmer touches the wall at the turn with only a toe. At the finish, they touch the wall with their head looking at the swimmer in the next lane. Should the judge at either end raise their hand?

See Rule 101.5

1 point

Yes

10. In the freestyle leg of the individual medley, the swimmer from the breast rolls to their back to take a breath and continues to kick, then rolls back to their breast and continues swimming freestyle. Should you raise your hand?

See Rule 101.5 and 101.6

1 point

Yes

11. A swimmer got very tired during the 200-yard freestyle. They decided to stop and rest. By resting, their feet touched the bottom of the pool. After a short rest, they sprang from the bottom of the pool and completed the race. What should you report to the Referee?

See Rule 102.21

1 point

The swimmer touched the bottom of the pool.

The swimmer sprang from the bottom of the pool.

The swimmer stopped during their swim.

12. What does jurisdiction mean?

1 point

Jurisdiction is how officials move on deck.

Jurisdiction is the portion of the swim and lanes assigned to an official.

Jurisdiction is where you stand on deck.

13. A swimmer wants to swim the corkscrew during the 50 yard freestyle. His coach informs him that this would not be legal, as the freestyle must be swum on the breast. Is his coach correct?

See Rule 101.5

1 point

Yes

14. You are judging the Individual Medley. Swimmer A swims the four legs in this order: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle. Swimmer B swims in this order: butterfly, breaststroke, backstroke and freestyle. Which swimmer should be disqualified?

See Rule 101.6

1 point

Swimmer A

Swimmer B

15. When considering your strategy for judging relay takeoffs, you should:

See Rule 101.7

1 point

Watch the swimmer in the water touch the wall, then look for whether the swimmer is still on the block. "Touch, then toes."

Watch the swimmer's toes leave the block first, then look to see the swimmer in the water touched the wall. "Toes, then touch."

16. How shall the Referee signal the Starter that the swimmers are under the Starter’s control? Hint: Please review reference 101.1.2B for the correct answer. *

1 point

Shall call out to the Starter that they are ready for the start.

Shall signal to the timing table that they are to start the race manually.

Shall signal with an outstretched arm to the Starter.

Shall ask the Starter to start the race when the Referee says, "START".

17. A swimmer in the backstroke race assumes an illegal starting position by standing on the gutter of the pool with his back to the pool and his heels in the water. The Starter starts the race. Shall the swimmer be disqualified?

Hint: Please review reference 101.1.2E for the correct answer.

1 point

Yes, the Referee shall disqualify the swimmer if he personally observed an illegal starting position.

Yes, the Starter shall disqualify the swimmer if the Head Lane Timer notifies the Starter that an illegal starting position was observed before the start of the race.

Yes, the Turn Judge shall disqualify the swimmer for having an illegal starting position before the start of the race and shall also raise one hand when this observation is seen.

No, the swimmer shall not be disqualified for an illegal starting position at the start if the race is permitted to proceed. Enforcement of the correct starting position is the responsibility of the Starter.

18. If a swimmer does not respond promptly to the command "Take your marks," what should the Starter do?

Hint: Please review reference 101.1.2D for the correct answer.

1 point

Give the starting signal.

Shall immediately release all swimmers with the command "Stand Up."

Wait until that swimmer assumes a starting position.

19. What does the short series of whistles from the Referee indicate to the swimmers?

Hint: Please review reference 101.1.2A for the correct answer.

1 point

To step up on the block.

To remove all clothing except for swimwear.

To remove all clothing except for swimwear and step up on the block.

To assume the starting position.

20. If the recall signal is activated, will a swimmer be disqualified for a false start when the Referee and the Starter confirm the violation?

Hint: Please review reference 101.1.3C for the correct answer.

1 point

No swimmer shall be charged with a false start and the Starter shall restart the race upon signal by the Referee and after notifying the offending swimmer.

The swimmer or swimmers who false started will automatically be disqualified.

The swimmer who false started is disqualified from that heat but will be allowed to swim later in another heat.

The swimmer who false started can time trial after the session.

21. If a swimmer elects to swim backstroke in a freestyle event, what kind of starting method shall be used?

Hint: Please review reference 101.5.1 for the correct answer.

1 point

The forward start shall be used.

A legal backstroke start in the water.

A backstroke start in the water with the feet placed on the gutter.

Either a backstroke start or forward start.

22. Who may modify the starting rules for the swimmer with a disability?

Hint: Please review references 102.11.9 and 105.1.1 for the correct answer.

1 point

The Starter has the authority to modify the rules for the swimmer with a disability.

The Referee has the authority to modify the rules for the swimmer with a disability.

The swimmer's Coach has the authority to modify the rules for the swimmer with a disability.

The Meet Director has the authority to modify the rules for the swimmer with a disability.

23. Where shall the Starter stand to start a race?

Hint: Please review reference 102.12.1 for the correct answer.

1 point

The Starter shall stand on the side of the pool within approximately five meters of the starting end of the pool.

The Starter shall stand any place comfortable to the Starter.

The Starter shall stand twenty feet from the starting end of the pool.

The Starter shall stand directly to the right of the backstroke flags.

24. A device to recall swimmers shall be provided. If a recall rope is used, where shall it be placed?

Hint: Please review reference 103.19 for the correct answer.

1 point

At the mid-point of the course in a long-course pool.

At the turn end backstroke flags in a short-course pool.

At the mid-point of the course in long course facilities and at the turn end backstroke flags in short course facilities.

None of the above because no recall device is required under the no-recall rules for false starts.

25. For swimmers that are deaf or hard of hearing, in forward and backstroke starts what is the Starter's arm signal that indicates "take your marks"?

Hint: Please review references 105.3.1, 105.3.1 Figure 1(C) and 105.3.1 Figure 2(D) for the correct answer.

1 point

Raise your hand directly overhead.

Move arm from a position directly overhead to shoulder level.

With your hand directly overhead, rotate the arm in a tight circular motion.

Move arm from shoulder level down to the side of the body.

26. When using the forward start for a heat with deaf or hard of hearing swimmers, what should the Starter do when the long whistle is blown by the Referee to signal the swimmers to step onto the starting block?

Hint: Please review references 105.3.1 and 105.3.1. Figure 1 (B) for the correct answer.

1 point

Arm moves to shoulder level.

Raise the arm directly overhead.

Arm moves to side of the body.

Lower an outstretched arm to shoulder level.

Lower an outstretched arm to side of body.

27. When starting a heat with swimmers that are deaf or hard of hearing, what should the Starter do when a short series of whistles are blown by the Referee?

Hint: Please review references 105.3.1, 105.3.1 Figure 1 (A) and 105.3.1 Figure 2 (A) for the correct answer.

1 point

Stand patiently waiting for the swimmers to prepare to race.

Raise an outstretched arm overhead.

Lower an outstretched arm to shoulder level.

Lower an outstretched arm to side of body.

Twist hand at chin level.

28. When starting a heat which includes swimmers that are deaf or hard of hearing, what should the Starter do at the same time the starting signal is activated?

Hint: Please review references 105.3.1, 105.3.1. Figure 1 (D) and 105.3.1 Figure 2 (E) for the correct answer.

1 point

Twist a hand at chin level.

Raise an outstretched arm overhead.

Lower an outstretched arm to side of body.

Lower an outstretched arm to shoulder level.

29. What is the standard Starter's arm signal to indicate to a backstroke swimmer, who is deaf or hard of hearing, that it is time to enter the water?

Hint: Please review references 105.3.1 and 105.3.1 Figure 2(B) for the correct answer.

1 point

Raise your hand directly overhead.

With your hand directly overhead, rotate the arm in a tight circular motion.

Move arm from shoulder level down to the side of the body.

Arm overhead – swimmer enters water; drop arm to side while swimmer enters water.

30. What is the standard Starter's arm signal to indicate to backstroke swimmers who are deaf or hard of hearing, that it is time to return to the backstroke start position?

Hint: Please review references 105.3.1 and 105.3.1 Figure 2(C) for the correct answer.

1 point

Twist hand at chin level.

With your hand directly overhead, rotate the arm in a tight circular motion.

Arm overhead – swimmer returns to backstroke start position.

Move arm from shoulder level down to the side of the body.

31. What must occur when an individual has firsthand knowledge of misconduct or where specific and credible information has been received from a victim or knowledgeable third party? Hint: THE ANSWER IS ALL OF THE ABOVE. See Rule 306.1.
*

1 point

Reporting immediately (i.e., within 24 hours) to Officials Chair at officials@mhsl.org

Reporting immediately (i.e., within 24 hours) to law enforcement.

Reporting to a designated child protection agency if your state requires this type of reporting.

All of the above.

On a scale of 1-5, how prepared do you feel to begin your Stroke and Turn Judging? [1 = completely unprepared and 5 = fully prepared]

completely unprepared