Officials Training
Every AHSL meet uses certified starters and stroke judges from the member teams. Each team designates at least two certified starters and at least four certified stroke judges each season, plus a Head Stroke Judge. Certification lasts two years. The League Vice President keeps the record of certification dates — let your team's representatives know when you certify.
Starters
Swimmers should hear the same start at every AHSL meet, whatever pool they're at: the same commands, the same timing, the same procedure. So every starter learns from the same guide and passes the same test.
- Read the AHSL Starter Guide (under Training Documents below).
- Pass the AHSL Starter Test (80% to pass). The test link will be posted here before the season.
To recertify, pass the test again every two years. We encourage every starter to re-read the guide and retake the test each year. The League may also offer a starter clinic, if available; it supplements the guide and test.
Stroke Judges
Every two years: take the online training at strokeandturn.com. Contact your team's Head Stroke Judge to register.
Every year: have a quick poolside chat with your team's Head Stroke Judge before your first meet, to go over AHSL rules and anything that changed.
What to wear
We encourage all officials — starters, stroke judges and meet referees — to wear a white shirt and blue shorts, pants or skirt, without team logos. A shared look makes it easy for officials to find each other on a busy deck, and lets the runner spot every judge quickly to collect DQ slips and bring water. Certified stroke judges should also wear the League badge or lanyard.
Training Documents
Stroke Judge Training Videos
These short videos from USA Swimming are a bit dated, but still useful — for stroke judges, for swim parents who want to know what the judges are looking for, and even for swimmers.