November 21:
Hi All,
I am taking over collecting the sportsmanship award nominations from Tom. I plan to send reminders during the boys' season to encourage everyone to keep an eye out for any good sportsman-like behavior. If you see any teams or individual athletes exhibiting such behavior, please send me an email describing what you observed, the team &/or athlete exhibiting the behavior and the meet and date when it occurred. Please provide as much detail as possible so the committee can make an informed decision at the end of the season.
Send your nominations to me at awilson5120@gmail.com
Thank you all!
Amy Wilson
November 13:
The Arbiter assigning platform is now open for setting availability. Everyone should have received an invite to our group - if you have not by now, please let me know ASAP so I can try and get it resolved. To set your availability, navigate to the "Blocks" page and follow the instructions on this page - https://arbitersportshelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/19923819369997-Step-4-Blocking-Dates-and-Times
You can also block teams and indicate which zip code you are coming from on different days by following these instructions (note that blocking sites, partners, or postal codes is not enabled) - https://arbitersportshelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/19923797490701-Step-5-Blocking-Sites-Teams-Partners-Travel-Limits-and-Postal-Codes
When you are done setting blocks and are ready to be assigned, navigate back to the "Dashboard" page and check the box next to "Swimming: Rochester/Monroe".
Please set your availability ASAP - Karen is currently importing her paper schedule and plans to publish assignments in the next few days.
When you receive an assignment, you will receive an email prompting you to accept or decline the meet. You can accept the assignment through the email or on the "Schedule" page on Arbiter. Note that if the away team is listed as TBA, it will be a multi meet with more than 2 teams - Arbiter doesn't allow us to enter multiple away teams.
Similar to RefView, we will not be using ArbiterPay for the winter season meets and you will continue to receive paper vouchers by each school. The exception is sectionals - if you worked a sectionals meet this fall season or will work one in the winter, you will need to set up your payment information to receive the payment from Section V.
Finally, this is a reminder that we have our November membership meeting on November 19th at 6:30pm at Fairbanks Road Elementary School. Bring cash if you are interested in the Sportsmanship raffle. This is a required meeting - if you plan on attending via Zoom, please make sure you contact me ahead of time.
If you have any questions about Arbiter or anything else, please let me know. I'll see you all next Tuesday!
-Patrick
October 22:
You should have all received an email from Arbiter last night inviting you to join the assigning group. This is the replacement platform for RefView that we will start using in the winter - please accept this invitation and set up your account if you don't already have one. Most functionality isn't yet enabled beyond the basic account setup features so don't worry if you get an error message when trying to explore the website. This functionality will hopefully be enabled in the coming weeks, and I hope to be able to offer training to the group around the November meeting. In the meantime, here's an article on how to navigate the site when the features are all turned on - https://arbitersportshelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/sections/20340641767949-Getting-started-quick-guide
Please note that we will continue to use paper vouchers for now so setting up ArbiterPay is not required. If you have any questions or did not get an email invitation last night, please let me know!
-Patrick
October 3:
It's come to my attention that the state committee used an incomplete roster for our group when they sent out the State Meet application. Here is the message I received:
All,
Here is the application for officiating the girls state meet this year. Please send applications to all committee members. Deadline for receiving applications is 10/6/24.
Respectfully,
The Selection Committee
Laurette Tekverk
Jay Tucker
Tim Voltmann
Please note that the state committee handles the application process - if you have any questions about the State Meet itself, contact them directly as I have nothing to do with the selection. The email addresses of the committee members are attached at the bottom of the application form.
Finally, I will be sending out Sectionals assignments in the next few days. If you are NOT interested in working a Sectional session, please let me know ASAP. Sectionals will take place on November 2 at Churchville-Chili, and November 5, 6, 8, and 9 at Webster.
Let me know if you have any questions!
-Patrick
September 17:
I wanted to pass along a couple of updates to the group. I was contacted by the Section V Swim Coordinator last night to make us aware that the modified voluntary dive schedule does not follow the same rotation as the varsity/JV schedule. Modified divers only rotate weekly between forward, back, and inward dives - twists and reverse dives are never voluntary dives but they can be optional dives later in their sheet. I've attached a copy of the modified schedule here and it's posted on the group website.
A situation was noted at the Freddie Thomas pool where ladders were inserted into the pool that stuck out into lanes 1 and 6 which is not allowed according to rule 2-3-2. Per John Natti, the meet is allowed to still go on without any changes being made with both coaches consent. As long as the ladders don't pose an imminent safety risk to the swimmers, the referee can determine that no action needs to be taken and the outside lanes can be used. If the visiting coach raises a concern, the ladders can be removed or a lane line can be moved over to block the ladders. Given the age of the pool and the fact that the pool is used for PE and recreational use, removing the ladders may not be an option. If the ladders can't be removed and there are no extra lane lines, the meet will only use the 4 center lanes. If neither coach raises a concern, it is okay to compete without making any changes to the pool configuration. Please let me and John Natti know if you have any questions about this.
Finally, if you missed the live diving, I've mailed out your name tags - you should be receiving them in the next day or two. If any situations come up or you have questions throughout the season, feel free to reach out!
-Patrick
September 4:
I would like to pass along an update from the state regarding protests. Coaches cannot protest an entire game or contest ("I am playing this game under protest") as no procedure exists to accommodate this. However, certain calls by officials are allowed to be protested at the time the call is made. The NYSPHSAA handbook and Section V handbook both state:
Judgement calls by officials cannot be protested. If the head coach would like to protest the misapplication of a sport specific rule, the protest must be made immediately to the game official prior to resuming play. Once play returns, any protest is null and void. Per NYSPHSAA, in any case, video may not be used to overturn an official's decision.
For swimming, this means that all officials need to know the rule violation that corresponds to the observation being made. Coaches are allowed to protest a call if they believe that the rule violation announced does not match an actual rule for that stroke or dive in the book, but cannot protest whether what the official observed actually happened or not.
"Dolphin kick is allowed in freestyle, that shouldn't be a DQ" is an allowed protest. "I didn't see them do an extra dolphin kick in their breaststroke pullout even though you said you did, that shouldn't be a DQ" is considered protesting a judgement call and is not allowed. Video may not be reviewed to overturn any type of call made.
Protests must be brought up to the referee immediately following the heat and the referee must make a final decision at that time. In any case, the coach cannot protest the call once the next heat or event begins. Per Section V's request, please keep your rulebook on you at all meets you work, including sectionals. Coaches may request to see the specific rule being referenced prior to play resuming.
Let me know if you have any questions!
-Patrick
September 4:
Just a reminder of the live diving and deck clinic is scheduled to begin at 6:00 this evening at the Churchville-Chili Senior High School (5786 Buffalo Road). They have a new main entrance on Buffalo Road (just past the old one) and when you enter the campus the pool is in the building all the way to the right. Please park near and enter Door #5 and the pool entrance will be right there.
Referees, starters and judges in training should bring any equipment that they will be using (whistle, stop watches, order of finish sheets, etc.) as we will be practicing all the commands, starts, turns, and positioning on deck in one of the four rotations tonight. Everyone should bring their diving score cards (new folks will get them).
I look forward to seeing everyone tonight.
Todd
August 20:
This is a reminder that there is a training meeting tonight at Fairbanks Road Elementary School at 6:30pm - you are only required to attend if you are a new official, a starter in training (level 2/3), a ref in training (level 4A), or would like a refresher on any role or diving scoring. Please bring your rulebook. If you have questions on if you should attend, please contact Todd Yunker.
If you are not attending tonight's training, the next meeting is Live Diving at Churchville-Chili High School at 6pm on September 4th and is required for all members.
If you have not sent me your exam score or completed your availability on RefView yet, please do so by the end of the week. Karen is starting to set assignments and you cannot get scheduled until both of these are done. Let me know if you have trouble with Dragonfly or RefView.
John Natti sent me an update from the state on how to handle blood in the water: "If any of the first three swimmers is bleeding, the race is stopped and will be re-swum after appropriate rest. If the fourth swimmer is bleeding and in the water, let the race continue with no penalty. If on the block, stop and the race will be re-swum. Whatever the location’s state and local pool health and safety plan is determines if the meet will continue and how the site manager will take care of the blood in the water."
Finally, the executive board has agreed to remove the "Mister/Madam Starter" command when referees turn over the race to the starter. The new procedure is in line with the NFHS rulebook, large meets, college, and USA swimming. Referees: please point to the starter to signal that the race is ready to start; no verbal command is needed.
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns!
-Patrick
August 16:
Thank you for attending the meeting last night. Here are a few updates and reminders.
As voted last night, our meetings have changed to start at 6:30pm (live diving is still scheduled for 6pm due to pool availability). In addition, the meeting for August 20 is not required for all officials - you are only required to attend if you are a new official, a starter in training (level 2/3), a ref in training (level 4A), or would like a refresher on any role or diving scoring. If you have questions on if you should attend, please contact Todd Yunker.
I am proposing the following change to the group constitution, to be voted on at the November 12 meeting: Article IV - Executive Committee, Section 9a - "The Assigner(s) shall be appointed by a Section V representative at the beginning of each school year."
Thank you to everyone who expressed interest in the Good and Welfare committee. If you let me know you were interested, I'll be sending you an email later today with more details. If you'd like to join, let me know and I'll add you to the list.
As requested, I have removed the group roster from the website for privacy reasons. If you'd like to access the roster, the link is available as a news post on RefView which can be seen after you log in.
Finally, I'm working on a few more videos and guides for RefView. I just published a document outlining how you can exclude yourself from working at specific schools (i.e. you work for a district and don't want to work any of their home meets). If you'd like a guide made for any other feature, let me know and I'll post one to the website. Please make sure you submit your availability ASAP - the sooner you indicate when you're available, the sooner you'll be assigned to meets. Karen Ocque is the assigner this season, if you have any questions about your schedule, contact her first.
As always, let me know if you have any questions or concerns. If you're attending the training, I'll see you on Tuesday!
-Patrick
August 12:
This is a reminder that our first meeting of the season is coming up this Thursday at 6pm at Fairbanks Road Elementary School. If you can't attend in person, please contact Patrick Byrnes for the Zoom link.
For anyone attending in person, please make sure to bring your:
-Dues payment
-Printout of your registration form (if you don't have that email, I'll bring blank forms)
-Rulebook
-Printout of your exam score with questions missed so we can review commonly missed questions (you can forward this to me via email instead if that's easier)
If you haven't received your rulebook, please let me know ASAP as they should all have been mailed out already.
Finally, I just posted training videos on setting your availability. We ask that you please log in and set your availability by the end of next week so Karen can start assigning meets. The first meets are in 3 weeks - please don't delay on setting your availability. RefView marks you as available by default, you'll need to select dates that you are NOT available. Here's a link to the training page - https://www.rmccso.org/refview-training
For new officials, Todd will be in touch with separate instructions on how to get employment clearance. You will not have a RefView login issued until training is complete.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I'll see you all Thursday!
-Patrick
August 1:
The 2024 Swim and Dive exam is officially open. Like last year, the exam is being administered through Dragonfly. If you made an account last year, log in to your account and click Complete your Registration on the homepage. On the registration page, click Not Done next to 2024 NYSPHSAA SWIMMING AND DIVING EXAM and submit your answers. If you have any trouble getting to this page, follow the instructions on the attached file.
If you don't have an account yet, please view the other attached file for specifics on getting your account set up.
Please note that the order of questions is randomized on the online exam so don't just copy your responses in order if you filled out the paper copy of the exam.
I would recommend checking out the rules changes and points of emphasis prior to taking the exam if you haven't already - links to both are available here: https://www.rmccso.org/resources
Please complete the exam prior to our membership meeting on August 15. If you have any questions, let me know!
July 15:
You can now access the training and meeting calendar for the 2024-25 Swim and Dive season here. Like in previous years, if you cannot attend a membership meeting in person, please let me know at least 24 hours in advance and I can send you a Zoom link. However, attending in person is always preferred. Training meetings will be in person only and attendance is required unless prior arrangements are made.
Our first membership meeting will be on August 15 at 6pm at Fairbanks Road Elementary School - please bring a check or cash to pay your dues. If you have the confirmation email from when you submitted your registration form, please print that out and turn it in with your dues so we can keep track of who has paid. If you don't have that email, I will provide paper forms you can fill out at the meeting.
For everyone who has registered already, rulebooks will be sent out starting this week. The online version of the exam is still not open but the .pdf version was emailed to you if you'd like to get a jumpstart on it. I'll send out another message once the exam is open.
Please let me know if you have any questions!
-Patrick
July 8:
Registration is now open for the season. Please use the form below to register your interest for the season. If you are not interested in continuing this season, please reach out to me and I will take you off our mailing list. Once you register, we will send out your rulebook. Registration will close on July 24, please sign up by then. The exam is not currently available online but I will send out another message once I have more information.
Registration Form - https://forms.gle/4mDaBaPhTjNeiHmD8
The training and meeting schedule is currently being finalized. The ratings committee is also working on ratings updates for next season so please put your current ranking on the registration form for now.
You may have heard but Section V is moving to a new platform for assignments and availability starting this season. To set up your account, go to www.refview.com and click "Forgot your Password" under the "Officials Login" section. If you have any trouble logging in, please let me know. I will be sending out more information and training material closer to our first membership meeting. You can ignore any references to e-Payments at this time - schools will still be using paper vouchers to process payments for officials this year. If you want to get a jumpstart on learning RefView, some training material is already posted here.
-Patrick Byrnes