RADIO PROTOCOL
- Radio Protocol for Possible Disqualifications:
CJ: While walking towards the official with a raised hand say, “Possible disqualification start/turn end, lanes 1-3; stroke judge lane 1/8 side.”
DR: says nothing; makes a notation on his/her heat sheet.
CJ: reports lane, “Lane 2.”
DR: says nothing; marks the lane on the heat sheet.
CJ: radios in, “Possible disqualification, event #, heat #, lane 2 for delay initiating the turn; recommend disqualification.” Keep the description brief, but be prepared to answer any questions from the deck referee.
NOTE: The CJ has the following additional options
- If NOT recommending DQ: “Possible disqualification, event #, heat #, lane 2 for delay initiating the turn; recommend further discussion."
- If judge was getting CJ's attention for another reason, "Event #, heat #, lane 2, no call."
- If judge withdraws call, "“Event #, heat #, lane 2, call withdrawn."
DR responds “Event #, heat #, lane 2 delay initiating the turn, I accept that call” The deck referee does not need to say anything else to the chief judge unless there are further questions. The deck referee should make a note of the DQ on the heat sheet.
NOTE: The DR also has the option to 1) ask additional questions by radio, 2) request further discussion, or 3) reject the call if there is a reason to do so: “Event #, heat #, lane 2 delay initiating the turn; that call is not accepted.”
CJ: After the swimmer has been notified say, “Event #, heat #, lane 2, swimmer notified.”
DR: says, “Thank you.”
- Radio Protocol for Relays:
After the 4th swimmer of the last team leaves the blocks in lanes 1-4/lanes 5-8, the CJs check with the side judges.
If there is no indication (an X) of a possible early take-off:
CJs say, “Lanes 1-4/5-8 clear.”
DR: when both CJs have reported in, says, “Lanes 1-8, all clear.”
Administrative Referee/Official: “Admin copy.”
If there is an indication (an X) of a possible early take-off:
CJs: Collect the relay take-off slip from the side judge and say, “Possible early take-off lane #, swimmer #” while walking over to the lane judge.
DR: says nothing, but makes a notation on their heat sheet.
CJ: calls in a second time, “I have a confirmed early take-off event #, lane #, swimmer #, recommend disqualification; or, lanes 1-4/5-8 clear.”
DR: “I will accept/confirm the disqualification for event #, lane #, swimmer # for an early take-off.”
CJ: After one member of the team has been notified say, “Heat #, lane #, team notified.”
DR: “Thank you.
- Radio Protocol for Open Lanes:
The DR should check his/her heat sheet before each heat to see how many swimmers are expected. When the DR blows the long whistle to invite the swimmers onto the blocks/into the water, make a mental note of the no shows/DFS. Immediately after the start of the heat and before the swimmers reach the first turn, the:
DR: radios (If it is the first heat of an event), Event #, heat 1, no show/DFS, lane #. If it is a subsequent heat in the same event, just say, “Heat #, no show/DFS, lane #.”
Administrative Referee/Official: “Thank you.”
DR: marks the no show/DFS on the heat sheet.
CJ: gives the DFS to deck referee after the start of the heat.
DR: reviews the DQ slip for accuracy, signs it and hands it to admin or gives it back to the CJ in the starter area.
- Radio Protocol When Closing Out an Event:
After the last heat of the event is finished and all DQ slips have been received, signed, and submitted to admin:
DR: radios the administrative referee/official, “Event # is now closed with # no shows, # DFS’s and # DQ’s.”
Administrative Referee/Official: “Thank you.”
