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Fly-Over Starts
Officials procedure revised 10.30.03

At the June 2003 Board of Directors meeting, fly-over starts were approved.  The Referee will have the option of fly-over starts if the meet announcement listed fly-over starts as an option. However, fly-over starts will not be used at 8 & under meets.

For those who are not familiar with fly-over starts, this is when a swimmer finishes his or her swim and does not exit the pool, but rather stays against the wall and moves to the side (so he/she is not directly under the block) and waits.  The next heat will start over the previous swimmer, and then the swimmer exits the pool.

The procedure for officials is similar to the past.  The Referee will blow four or more chirps when the last swimmer of the heat is about five yards/meters from the finish (backstroke flags), signaling the next heat to be ready. The Referee will blow the long whistle as the last swimmer finishes, bringing the next heat of swimmers onto the blocks.  When all swimmers are on the block and swimmers in the water are out of the way, the Referee turns the heat over to the Starter with an outstretched arm.

At the beginning of each meet where fly-over starts are used, an announcement should be made to remind swimmers to wait in the corner of the lane and to be quiet and still for the start of the next heat.

Starters and Referees are reminded to provide the best start for every heat.  When the swimmers are on the blocks, the pace should be consistent.  Do not be rushed by fly-over starts and do not leave the swimmers hanging around on the blocks wondering what the holdup is.  Electronic timing operators may need to make changes to their system so the exiting swimmer does not stop the clock for the racing swimmer.

Mike Huffmann
Officials Chair

rev. 01.13.04  paragraph 3- added four "or more"
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