Stroke and Turn Judge Certification
The Stroke and Turn position is an entry level position for becoming an official. Stroke and turn judges ensure that every competition is fairly and impartially judged and that all swims comply with the sport's technical rules. Stroke and turn judges play an essential role in maintaining the integrity of the sport for all our athletes!
Steps to becoming a stroke and turn judge:
Registration with USA Swimming
- Request an OMR link from your team's coach. Clicking on this link will walk you through the process of registering as a member of USA Swimming (separate from your child's membership). When you are asked for your role, select "Official." USA Swimming membership currently costs $100.
- Complete the following registration elements:
- Athlete Protection Training (annual requirement)
- Background Check (biannual requirement)
- Concussion protocol training (one-time requirement)
- Links to all these requirements, as well as the required Foundations of Officiating clinic, are located here: https://university.usaswimming.org/landing. Click the "Officials" button at the top.
Education
Complete the free USA Swimming Foundations of Officiating and Stroke and Turn Judge clinics and tests. Both can be found here: https://university.usaswimming.org/landing
Training
Once you are fully registered and have completed the training clinics, you will complete four on-deck apprentice sessions across at least two different meets shadowing an experienced ST judge. You will learn to identify infractions by observing the swimmers and receiving instruction from your on-deck mentor. Your mentor must submit a ST Apprentice Evaluation in order for you to get credit for your session. This can be done online, or you can download a paper form and have your mentor complete it. Both can be found here: https://www.njswim.org/page/system/res/213865
When you've completed your apprentice sessions, send a photo or scan of your completed, signed evaluation form to [email protected]. You cannot be fully certified as a ST judge until we hear from you!
