Swim Rant

I stroke and turn every meet. As it's Summer League I make a serious attempt to never DQ anyone, especially some kid who only swims in the Summer for fun and is no threat to points accumulation. I had some crazy timer the other night get all in my face about DQing some kid and I told her she was not allowed to talk to the judges. That made her even angrier. I should have DQ'd her for the outfit she was wearing, heavy on the gray elasticized sweat suit.

I stroke and turn every meet. As it's Summer League I make a serious attempt to never DQ anyone, especially some kid who only swims in the Summer for fun and is no threat to points accumulation. Geek, While I can empathize with the feeling I disagree very strongly with this thought process. What does summer league have any relevancy here? How are you helping that swimmer improve by not enforcing the stroke rules evenly. How is this fair to the other swimmers who are able to do the stroke legally? A DQ is NOT a punishment. It is feedback that gives an opportunity to improve a stroke that is not yet legal, especially at that level. By not bringing attention to it, it is possible that the swimmer thinks he is perfectly legal. This just happened with one of our 14yo girls. She had been swimming fly illegally for 2 years and had never been DQed. Her response on her first DQ? "I thought that was how it was supposed to be swam". She has since corrected the problem and is actually our #1 swimmer in the stroke now. Paul

Yep, we disagree. When I get teamed up with judges like you, I just say "I didn't see it" a whole lot. A kid doing summer league only is there for fun, I'm not gonna DQ them, and certainly not on some obscure thing. Anyone who gets crazed about Summer League needs to go year round so they can be teamed up with other crazy parents. Yes, I'm helping them, helping them have fun, in a fun environment with fun people. Plus, who wants to get on the bad side of the Summer League MILFs (including the one I reside with)?

It is not necessary to disqualify, but it would be wise to suggest changes. I always talk to the coaches and team reps, I'm not totally out of it. I never said I turn the other way, if you will please note.

Yep, we disagree. When I get teamed up with judges like you, I just say "I didn't see it" a whole lot. A kid doing summer league only is there for fun, I'm not gonna DQ them, and certainly not on some obscure thing. Anyone who gets crazed about Summer League needs to go year round so they can be teamed up with other crazy parents. Yes, I'm helping them, helping them have fun, in a fun environment with fun people. Plus, who wants to get on the bad side of the Summer League MILFs (including the one I reside with)? Judges like me? If you're trying to irritate me, you're well on the way. You have no idea what kind of judge I am, heck, you've never even met me and yet you think you can categorize me? And why are you even an official? Why have them? It seems that in your view, you're just a glorified lifeguard. As for some obscure thing? Please point out to me in the USA swimming stroke rules what is obscure. 1 hand touch on breaststroke? Turning to thier back on butterfly? Missing the wall on a flip turn? Walking on the bottom of the pool?

I always talk to the coaches and team reps, I'm not totally out of it. I never said I turn the other way, if you will please note. Which per our league and USA swimming rules, is not permitted. Only the Referee can engage in discussion with coaches and team reps concerning infractions.

I don't have my current WSI so I'm not even a glorified one of those. I judge in a way appropriate for our league, you for yours. These aren't USA Swimming meets. I can tell from your angry post that you enjoy the power, good for you. I enjoy the meets. Please, relax, it's summer league for goodness sakes.

DQ'ing isn't a bad thing - and it's not the stroke/turn judge's responsibility to make sure there are no hurt feelings. It's the PROPER reinforcement to learn how to do the stroke right. Unfortunately, that is not the prevailing school of thought - a lot of parents think it's cute to see the little ones flail around and call it breastroke or butterfly or...the 100IM! And...(aarrgh!!) if you were here, you'd still get your participant ribbon or your place ribbon since the ribbon writers override any DQ swimmers. If the DQ isn't done right on the spot, the impact is gone. oops. forgot to add...and your heat winner ribbon and best times ribbon!

(S)he, I tried that after the first week and was turned down. In an effort to avoid being perceived as one of 'those' parents I haven't offered since. No wonder you're ticked off. Free help turned down? Never a good sign. Territorial coach perhaps? Sorry!! :rant3:

I agree that summer leagues are for fun, but some feed swimmers onto more competitive teams and so the swimmers should know the rules and how to swim the strokes correctly. To loosely quote Paul, a DQ is not a punishment but a learning experience. I've had this same discussion with my wife who is a coach. She thinks the younger, less experienced swimmers should "get a break" and I say "no they shouldn't. How are they going to learn to swim the strokes correctly otherwise?" Particularly if their coach is unaware of their problems with the stroke.