YMCA of the USA Competitive Swimming and Diving Fo: Relay Starts

Message

   What is the best way to watch a relay exchange?  
1.) When feet of swimmer leaves the block, look down to see if incomming swimmer has touched the wall
or 
2.) When incomming swimmer has touched the wall, look up to see if feet of swimmer have left the block.

I usually tell officials #1 as that is how I was originally taught years ago.  However recently #2 was brought to my attention.
Please clarify.

Thanks!

Author	Message
buchacc New Member Joined: Mar/07/2009 Location: United States Posts: 2	Topic: Relay Starts Posted: Nov/01/2009 at 4:32pm
	What is the best way to watch a relay exchange? 1.) When feet of swimmer leaves the block, look down to see if incomming swimmer has touched the wall or 2.) When incomming swimmer has touched the wall, look up to see if feet of swimmer have left the block. I usually tell officials #1 as that is how I was originally taught years ago. However recently #2 was brought to my attention. Please clarify. Thanks!

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Ed Miller Moderator Group Moderator - Officials Joined: Apr/29/2006 Location: United States Posts: 131	Posted: Nov/24/2009 at 1:38pm
	The proper way to judge relay exchanges is to watch the feet of the swimmer on the block. When the feet leave contact with the starting block, you should then drop your eyes to see that a touch was made by the incoming swimmer. Watching for the touch and then looking up could cause you to erroneously disqualify a team because of the speed of the exchanges. Watching the feet and then the touch gives the benefit of the doubt to the swimmer. You are correct in what you are teaching. Ed Miller National Officials' Committee
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buchacc New Member Joined: Mar/07/2009 Location: United States Posts: 2	Posted: Nov/24/2009 at 2:53pm
	Thanks
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