Junior Official Certification
The Junior Official certification enables 16- and 17-year-olds to gain volunteer experience and get a head start on becoming a stroke and turn judge while giving back to their team and sport. When junior officials turn 18 and they have met their adult USA Swimming membership requirements, their Junior ST certification will convert to ST certification.
Steps to becoming a stroke and turn junior official:
Registration with USA Swimming
- When you register as an athlete member of USA Swimming, you will see the following roles: Premium Athlete, Seasonal Athlete, Junior Coach, and Junior Official. In addition to selecting Premium Athlete, you should multi-select the "Junior Official" role.
- Complete the Safe Sport for Youth Athletes (13-17) Training https://university.usaswimming.org/landing
- Complete Concussion Protocol Training https://university.usaswimming.org/landing
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. Click the "Officials" button at the top.
Training
Once you are fully registered and have completed the training clinics, you will complete four on-deck apprentice sessions 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 are fully certified as a junior official, you may serve as a stroke and turn judge in any 12 and under session at any USA Swimming meet except the NJS Gold Championships.
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 Junior Official until we hear from you!
