AFSA Guidelines

1. Mission, Vision, and Core Objectives

Mission Statement The Arabian Falcon Swimming Association is the Governing Body for International Schools and organizations interested in the sport of swimming. We administer competitive swimming in accordance with the Amateur Sports Act. We provide programs and services for our members, supporters, affiliates and the interested public. We value these members of the swimming community, and the staff and volunteers who serve them. We are committed to excellence and the improvement of our sport.

Vision Statement To inspire and enable our members to achieve excellence in the sport of swimming and in life.

Core Objectives Arabian Falcon encourages all members to participate in the local, regional and national efforts to ensure that the following objectives are accomplished.

Build the base
We seek to expand our membership in order to share our sport with as many other people as possible. We are especially committed to sharing the values of our sport with young people who may discover that swimming is an activity they can enjoy for their entire life.
Promose the Sport
We want swimming to receive as much publicity as possible because we believe that the more people that learn about our sport the more inclined they will be to join the ranks of our membership. We are proud of our sport and we seek to celebrate it whenever possible.
Achieve Competitive Success
We seek to continue the tradition of competitive excellence. When our athletes are successful in fulfilling their dreams, our society benefits from the inspiration these athletes give us.

2. Intent of these Guidelines

These guidelines are intended to:

Inform all teams and members about the function of the AFSA.
Outline the simplified format for doing business within the association so that in the future officers are clear on what their functions are and how to handle day to day business.
Unless otherwise noted, AFSA (formerly AAU-ME) guidelines will follow that of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). If a conflict is found it should be reported to the AFSA Board of Director(s). When necessary these guidelines can be amended to suite AFSA teams.
Current United States Swimming Rules and Regulations (USS Rules and Regulations), pertaining to strokes, disqualifications, duties of officials, judging, timing and similar technical matters shall be observed at all League meets unless modified by the AAU Rules and Regulations.

3. AFSA Board of Directors Yearly Duties

Responsibilities of the board of directors can be organized based on the time of the year. Therefore, a monthly to-do-list is established to guide the board to follow on the yearly activities starting January and continues through out the year. Several of these items will be as per the AAU code but are mentioned here as a reminder. Please read the AAU code to be sure nothing is forgotten

January
- Send an email to the regional representatives to ask if anyone wants to be the Junior Olympic Organizer. If more than one person volunteers, a ballot will be sent to all member teams to decide.
- Ensure the swimmer and coaches registrations are up to date. Send this to all the teams
- Ensure the financial statement is complete and sent to the members. This is just to ensure everyone knows the financial situation.
- Review the guidelines in this document to see if anything needs to be brought up to date.
February
- Ensure the Junior Olympic Organizer is finalized
- Make sure the region who is handling the Nationals announces it and gets the events issued so everyone knows what will be offered
March
April
May
- 3^rd/4^th Weekend - AFSA National Championship Meet
June
- 1^st week - Distribute notice to all teams about upcoming Board Meeting
- 2^nd/3^rd weekend - AFSA Board Meeting
July
August
- 1^st Week - AAU Junior Olympics Meet
September
- During Election year (2009, 2013, etc…), AFSA Board to send out notice to teams requesting nominations for AFSA Board. Deadline for nominations is 10-days after notice.
October
Oct 1 AFSA Board will send to Regional Reps (for distribution to Teams) a ballot to include:
- Venue for Next National Meet
- Voting Issues established from previous Board/National Meeting
- Candidates to Board Position (if election year)
Oct 15 - Deadline for teams to return ballot
November
Ballot Results/Elections will be sent to Regional Reps for Distribution to Teams
December
New Board will begin term (on election year)

Statistician

This page has been transcribed from the original AFSA operations guidelines as prepared by ZOUHAIR KAAKI dated 26 May 2008 and modified to exclude the AFSA meeting minutes which are in the original document. The AFSA guidelines supercede this document at all times in the event of any conflicts.

Reporting New Records
- Every time a new AFSA Record is set, the following form (Records Certification) must be completed by the Host Team and Signed by the Meet Director or Record for that meet.
- The Records Certification Form should then be scanned and sent to the AFSA Statistician in order to update the AFSA Records File
- In addition to the Records Certification Form, a MM Back-up file must also be sent to verify the record. If the Record is obtained on a split, stop watch times from official meet timing sheets, must also be submitted.
- Records Certificates and back-up information should be sent within 2-days of the new record to allow updates before following week’s swim meets.
AFSA Official Records

Current Records are distributed via email and are posted to the AFSA website
Past Records (Not sure what to do about this – I have records since 2003, but not before)
Records are distributed in:
Acrobat pdf
Team Manager/ Meet Manager Database

How records are announced to all teams

New Records Announcements are sent via email to the Regional Statistician and then distributed to each member team.
Provided that 4.1.4 is met, AFSA National Records shall be updated before commencement of successive meet with the exception of 2-day Regional or Invitational Meets.

Swimmers that set National Records will receive a National Record Certificate signed by the AFSA President and Event Meet Director. Host team is responsible for producing and presenting new Records Certificates. AFSA’s National Statistician will keep and distribute “unfilled” Certificates as needed.
AFSA Policies/Precedents on Holding Record Setting Meets
- "Record Breaker” Meets are permitted provided that the event is sanctioned and carried out in accordance with all pertinent rules.
- Relay Team members must comprise of athletes from the same team. The only exception(s) is (are) during National Meets which can comprise of athletes from the teams within each region (“Central”, “Eastern” or “Western”).
Nationals
- The AFSA National Championship Meet is a Qualifying Meet in which swimmers must obtain time faster than the Qualifying Times (Time Standards)
- The Venue for the AFSA National Championship Meet shall rotate to each region, unless otherwise agreed.
- The Meet Events and Sequence of are set and will not change unless voted on and passed by Teams within the Association.
- Officials at the meet must comprise of all Regions.
- Time Standards for National Championship Meets
- For Age Groups 9 & Above:
  - National Qualifying Time (NQT) Standards set equal to the ‘BB’ Standards National Age Group Motivation Times for Short Course Meters (SCM) published and in force by US Swimming applicable at the time of the National Meet.
  - National Consideration Time (NCT) Standards set 5% above (slower) than the ‘BB’ Standards National Age Group Motivation Times for Short Course Meters (SCM) published and in use by US Swimming applicable at the time of the National Meet.
- For the 6&U, and 7-8 age groups:
  - National Qualifying Time (NQT) and National Consideration Times (NCT) Standards were set based on 10&under Motivation Times. Times are not updated when new motivation times are released.
  - To qualify for the National Meet, Swimmers must have at least 1 NQT. Depending on the number of swimmers and meet schedule, the Host Team may or may not accept all NCTs. NCTs to fill lanes not occupied by NQT swimmers will be accepted
- In addition to the Records Certification Form, a MM Back-up file must also be sent to verify the record. If the Record is obtained on a split, stop watch times from official meet timing sheets, must also be submitted.
- Records Certificates and back-up information should be sent within 2-days of the new record to allow updates before following week’s swim meets.
Ageing Up Policy Used By AFSA
- Age of swimmer on the date (first day of a multi-day) of meet sets the age of the swimmer
Unresolved Issues
- Note. This Section is used to document all correspondence on unresolved issues with the realization that some of these may never be resolved but at least they are here for the Board to consider. The intent is that we do not have to reinvent old issues and background is here for further discussion.

Registration Chair

Responsibilities

Collect, control and administer the registrations of all swimmers, coaches and teams with the AAU National Head Quarters in the USA.
Collect, control and administer the issuing of meet sanctions for all swimming competitions which are scheduled to take place in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the three Regions.
Maintaining records of all registrations and sanctions in such a manner that they are auditable at any time.

Communicaitons

Registrations
Eastern Region - To be determined/Unknown
Central Region – To be determined/Unknown
Western Region – To be determined/Unknown

AFSA Treasurer
To be determined/Unknown

AFSA Registrations Officer
To be determined/Unknown

AFSA/AAU Officer
To be determined/Unknown

Administration Procedures

Sanctioning of Meets

Meet Flyer
Event List
Meet Sanction Form

Executive Committee

Three individuals (not necessarily from among the league council members) –President, Secretary and Treasurer - shall be elected every two years by the teams representatives to comprise the League Executive Committee. The voting hierarchy shall be for the positions of (1) President, (2) Secretary, and (3) Treasurer. The Vice president, Membership and Record Keeper, will be nominated by the three elected officers. This selection will take place at the end of the Spring Season for service commencing after the National Championships. In the event of a mid-year resignation, then a special election shall be called in which the League Representatives select a substitute Executive Committee member. Each election cycle will take place at the National of the second year. For example current election 2011 should end at 2013 Nationals. The three elected positions will be distributed evenly among the regions. There will be a three-two year cycles for each region to take a position of elected positions; President, Secretary and Treasurer and nominated positions; Vice president, Membership and Record Keeper. For example:

First Cycle: Western Region (President), Central Region (Secretary) and Eastern Region (Treasurer).
Second Cycle: Western Region (Secretary), Central Region (Treasurer) and Eastern Region (President)
Third Cycle: Western Region (treasurer), Central Region (President) and Eastern Region (Secretary).

Also, the same process will be done by the elected committee for the nominated officers “Vice president, Membership and Record Keeper

President

One individual shall be elected by the Council members to serve as the AFSA President for a two year term. The election from within each area (Eastern, Central and Western regions) will be conducted through first soliciting nominations (via a move/second process from among the team members), and then a vote (one vote per team). The President shall chair Council meetings, coordinate League activities, coordinate with other leagues and associations, and take other necessary actions to administer the League. He or she shall not represent the interests of any one team.

Vice President

Will take the duties of the president when he is not available and may carry other duties as necessary to

Secretary

Shall take minutes of the meetings, provide for the typing of communication among the League teams, and maintain swim records.

Treasurer

The treasurer shall keep record of the funds in a bank of his choice and where he can access the money easily. AFSA board members (President, Secretary, Registrar and Vice President are entitled to have an access to account if needed and agreed by the board). However, for convenience only two members should have an access (for example the treasurer and the president if they reside in the same region). The Treasurer should be able to issue Financial Statements each quarter. The statement is to include money on hand, list of income and expenditures for the year.

Training Coordinator

This is an assigned position with no voting power. The duty of the Training Coordinator is to train team officials and prepare them to carry the duties such as Meet Manager, Referee (Deck and Administrative), Starter, Stroke and Turn, Announcer, Statistician. He will run clinics and certify people to carry their duties. AFSA will depend of those officials in the Regional meets and Nationals. Clinics will be conducted during the first quarter of each year.

Council Meetings

Council meetings will be scheduled at regular times throughout the year, usually once or twice at the beginning of each season and once at the end of the season.

Emergency League Council Meetings

An emergency meeting may be called providing that at least three-fourths of representatives of different teams are present.

AFSA Regional Representatives

Function of the Regional Representatives
These individuals are in the position to coordinate all information from the AFSA to the teams and vise versa for their region. It has become labor intensive for the Board of Managers to coordinate items with all the teams. Also there are times when information is needed by the AFSA and the regional representatives will be asked to coordinate getting the information. Thru Regional Representatives will also coordinate the requirements of the Registration Chair and the Secretary/Treasurer. The Regional Representatives do not vote on issues. Each team has a vote. The Regional Representatives will ensure all the teams receive the information so the votes can be taken.
Selection of the Regional Representatives
Each Region will have an annual election in January to vote on the Regional Representative for their Region. The vote will be documented and sent to the teams in that region and to the AFSA Director.

8. AFSA National and Regional Meet Officials

Function of the Regional Representatives (Officia)

For the Nationals Championships games AFSA board shall appoint the Main Deck Referee, Admin Referee, Starters, Stroke and Turn Judges and officials for the control of the competitions.
All officials accepting an invitation to officiate at a swimming meet should arrive promptly and report immediately to the meet director or meet referee.
All officials acting in the capacity of Referee, Starter, or Stroke and/or Turn Judge at a swimming meet shall have enough knowledge of the duties and preferably certified prior to being assigned to officiate in that capacity. Uncertified trainees may perform the duties of such positions when they are under the direct supervision of senior officials.
For all swimming meets there should not be fewer than the following officiating positions filled. Officials other than the Referee may act in more than one officiating capacity only when sufficient qualified officials are not available, but no one may simultaneously time and judge the order of finish.
- 1 Referee
- 1 Starter
- 3 Timers per lane (one minimum if automatic equipment with touchpads is used)
- 1 Clerk of Course
- 2 Place Judges (optional if automatic or semi-automatic timing equipment is used)
- 2 Stroke Judges and 2 Turn Judges or 2 Stroke & Turn Judges
- Relay Take-off Judges (if applicable)
- 1 Recorder
- 1 Timing Judge
- 1 Announcer
The following officials shall be required and assigned for Falcon National and Regional’s Swimming championship competitions:
- 1 Referee
- 1 Administrative Referee
- 1 Starter
- 1 Chief Timer
- 1 Chief Judge
- 1 Stroke Judge per each side of pool
- 1 Timer/Relay Take-off Judge per lane (start end)
- 1 Recorder/Head Lane Timer per lane (start end)
- 1 Timer/Turn Judge per lane (start end)
- 1 Turn Judge per lane (turn end)
- 4 Relay Take-off Judges — two each side of pool
- 1 Recall Rope Operator
- 4 Marshals (minimum)

Meet Referee
1. Shall have full authority over all officials and shall assign and instruct them; shall enforce all applicable rules and shall decide all questions relating to the actual conduct of the meet, the final settlement of which is not otherwise assigned by said rules; can overrule any meet official on a point of rule interpretation, or on a judgment decision pertaining to an action which the Referee has personally observed.
2. The Referee has the authority to disqualify a swimmer(s) for any violation of the rules that the Referee personally observes and, except for false starts, shall at the same time raise one hand overhead. If the Referee does not make such a signal there shall be no penalty.
3. Shall signal the starter that all officials are in position, that the course is clear, and that the competition can begin, before each race; shall assign marshals with specific instructions.
4. Shall give a decision on any point where the opinions of the judges differ; shall have authority to intercede in a competition at any stage, to ensure that the racing conditions are observed.
5. For local records only, may assign three (3) additional official timers on request to record a record attempt at initial distances.
6. When automatic or semi-automatic officiating equipment is used and an apparent malfunction occurs it shall be his/her responsibility to make an immediate investigation to determine whether the swimmer finished in accordance with the rules and/or if there was an actual equipment malfunction.
7. May prohibit the use of any device that disrupts or interferes with the meet, such as a laser pointing device or artificial noisemaker.
8. May modify any rule for a competitive swimmer who has a disability. Such modification shall be in accordance with Article 105 of the USA Swimming Rules and Regulations.
9. When the meet sanction allows conducting the events by starting them from the alternate ends of a 25-meter course, the Referee shall establish the necessary administrative and officiating procedures to conform to Part One of the rules and local conditions.
Administrative Referee

8.3.1. While the Meet Referee is in charge of all competition and administration of the meet, he or she will frequently delegate certain areas of responsibility to the Deck Referee who supervises the actual competition and to the Administrative Referee who supervises the logistical (administrative) part of the meet. The larger a meet, the more useful the positions of Deck and Administrative (Admin) Referee become.
8.3.2. The position of Admin Referee encompasses not only knowledge of the Technical rules found in Part One of USA Swimming Rules and Regulations, but also the Administrative Rules of Competition found in Part Two, Articles 201 through 207.
Duties of the Administrative referee
- Deputy Meet Referee if the Meet Referee is called away
- Supervision of:

Starter
1. Equipment — Loudspeaker start system conforming with or without an underwater recall device, and an electronic strobe signal as provided in 105.3 shall be the preferred starting device. A .22 caliber starting pistol may be used.
2. Preparation — The Starter shall stand within ten feet of the starting end of the pool and upon signal from Referee, shall assume control of swimmers until a fair start has been achieved.
3. Optional Instructions — The Starter may:
  1. Announce the event
  2. Advise the heat when a swimmer will be attempting to achieve a time at an initial distance
  3. For backstroke event starts, give the command, "Place your feet."
4. The Start
  1. At the commencement of each heat, the Referee shall signal to the swimmers by a short series of whistles to remove all clothing except for swimwear, followed by a long whistle indicating that they should take and maintain their positions on the starting platform, the deck, or in the water. In backstroke and medley relay events, at the Referee’s first long whistle the swimmers shall immediately enter the water and at the second long whistle shall return without undue delay to the starting position.
  2. When the swimmers and officials are ready, the Referee shall signal with an outstretched arm to the Starter that the swimmers are under the Starter’s control.
  3. On the Starter’s command “take your mark”, the swimmers shall immediately assume their starting position, in the forward start, with at least one foot at the front of the starting platform or on the deck. Swimmers starting in the water must have at least one hand in contact with the wall or starting platform. When all swimmers are stationary, the starter shall give the starting signal.
  4. When a swimmer does not respond promptly to the command "take your mark", the Starter shall immediately release all swimmers with the command "Stand up" upon which the swimmers may stand up or step off the blocks.
5. False Starts
  1. Any swimmer starting before the starting signal is given shall be disqualified if the Referee independently observes and confirms Starter’s observation that a violation occurred. Swimmers remaining on the starting blocks shall be relieved from their starting positions with the "Stand up" command and may step off the blocks. The Starter shall restart the race upon signal by the Referee.
  2. If the starting signal has been given before the disqualification is declared, the race shall continue without recall. If the Referee independently observes and confirms the starter’s observation that a violation occurred, the swimmer or swimmers who have false started shall be notified of the disqualification upon completion of the race.
  3. If the recall signal is activated inadvertently, no swimmer shall be charged with a false start and the Starter shall restart the race upon signal by the Referee.
  4. A swimmer who would otherwise be charged with a false start may be relieved of the charge if the false start was caused by the swimmer’s reaction to the “Stand Up” command.
  5. A swimmer shall not be disqualified for an illegal starting position at the start if the race is permitted to proceed. Enforcement of the correct starting position is the responsibility of the Starter.
  6. Declared false start: swimmers reporting to the Referee prior to the start of their race and declaring their intent not to compete will be disqualified.
6. Warning Signal — With the exception of relays, in events 500 yards or longer the Starter or a designee shall sound a warning signal over the water at the finish end of the lane of the leading swimmer when that swimmer has two lengths plus five yards or five meters to swim. As an alternative, a bell warning signal may be given over each lane by a lane judge or timer in that lane.
7. Deliberate Delay or Misconduct
  1. Any swimmer, who delays the start by entering the water or by willfully or deliberately disobeying a command to step on the blocks or to take a starting position, or for any other misconduct taking place at the start, may be disqualified from the event by the Starter with concurrence of the Referee.
  2. The Referee shall disqualify a swimmer who fails to appear at the starting platform ready to swim in time for the initial start of his/her heat. Such disqualifications shall not be charged as a false start.
Judges
1. Shall have jurisdiction over the swimmers immediately after the race has begun
  1. Chief — An overall “Chief Judge” may assign and supervise the activities of all stroke, turn, place and take-off judges and may report their decisions, or if desired any judging category may have a designated “Chief”. Any “Chief” may act as liaison for the judges and may serve simultaneously in one of the judging positions and shall assign those judges within the “Chief’s” category.
  2. Place Judge — At the discretion of the Referee, two place judges — one on each side of the course — shall be stationed near the finish and each shall judge the order of finish of all swimmers. A place judge shall record a tie if a place distinction cannot be made. Judging results shall be used only in accordance with AAU rules in determining the order of finish.
  3. Stroke Judge — Shall operate on both sides of the pool, preferably walking abreast of the swimmers during all strokes except freestyle, during which events they may leave poolside, at the Referee’s discretion; shall ensure that the rules relating to the style of swimming designated for the event are being observed; and shall report any violations to the Referee on signed slips detailing the event, the heat number, the lane number, the swimmer’s name and the infraction.
  4. Turn Judge — Shall operate on both ends of the pool; shall ensure that when turning or finishing the swimmer complies with the turning and finishing rules applicable to the stroke used; and shall report any violations to the Referee on signed slips detailing the event, the heat number, lane number, the swimmer’s name and infraction observed.
  5. Jurisdiction of Stroke and Turn Judges — Before the competition begins the Referee shall determine the respective areas of stroke and turn responsibility and jurisdiction, which may include joint, on current, and coordinated responsibility and jurisdiction. The Referee shall insure that all swimmers shall have fair, equitable, and uniform conditions of judging.
2. Relay Take-Off Judges
  1. A Relay take-off judges shall be assigned by the Referee and shall stand so that they can clearly see both the touch of the incoming swimmer(s) and the feet of the departing swimmer(s) as they leave the starting platform, and shall judge whether the swimmer is in contact with the platform when the incoming swimmer touches the end of the pool.
  2. If dual relay take-off judging is used, the lane and side take-off judges shall independently report infractions in writing without the use of the infraction hand signal. A relay will be disqualified only if the lane take-off judge has reported an infraction and the assigned side take-off judge has confirmed the same infraction.
  3. When automatic relay exchange judging equipment is in use, the system printout will provide the information to judge relay exchanges. Integrated back-up timing cameras may be reviewed by the Referee to confirm the automatic system’s results. When backup timing cameras are not available, the Referee will determine the confirmation process.
3. Timing Systems - Every race in a swimming competition shall be timed with one or more of the following systems, listed in their preferred order of use:
  1. Automatic — A timing system that is started by an electric impulse generated by a starting device or a transducer capable of detecting a gun report and stopped at the finish by the swimmer touching the touchpad.
  2. Semi-Automatic — A timing system that is started by an electric impulse generated by a starting device or transducer capable of detecting a gun report and stopped by buttons pushed by timers at the finish touch of the swimmer.
  3. Manual — A timing system consisting of individual lane timers, each operating a manual watch that is both started and stopped by the timer as described. Only hand-held, battery powered, digital read-out type watches designed for timing purposes shall be used.
4. Timing Personnel and Their Duties
  1. A Chief Timer — The Chief Timer shall:
    - Assure the assignment of Lane Timers to lanes and the designation of one timer on each lane to be the Head Lane Timer.
    - On the starting signal, start the watch(es) on every race. The time of this watch shall be used if a Lane Timer’s watch fails.
    - Be responsible for delivering all manual watch times, including those of disqualified swimmers, to the Timing Judge.
  2. Head Lane Timer — The Head Lane Timer shall:
    - Determine whether the swimmer or relay team is present and in the correct lane, heat and event, and that relay swimmers are swimming in the order listed.
    - Determine and record manual watch times or the absence of a swimmer or the relay team seeded in that lane.
    - Assign one timer to time relay splits and initial distance times if requested by the Chief Timer.
    - Report if the swimmer has delayed in touching or has missed the touch pad at the finish, or if there is reason to believe the semi-automatic or manual times may be inaccurate.
  3. Lane Timers — Officials assigned as Lane Timers may simultaneously operate two dissimilar devices (one watch and one button) but not two similar devices (two watches or two buttons). It is not within the Lane Timer’s jurisdiction to judge if the swimmer’s touch conforms to the applicable finish rules or if a relay take-off infraction has occurred unless assigned concurrent responsibility as a Lane Timer and Turn Judge or Relay Take-off Judge. Each timer shall:
    - Be in position at the start to have an unobstructed view and shall start the watch at the instant of observing the visual starting signal. If the visual starting signal is not observed, the watch shall be started upon hearing the sound of the starting signal.
    - Stand directly over the assigned lane at the finish to observe a touch above, at, or below the surface of the water and stop the watch and/or push the semi-automatic system button when any part of the swimmer’s body touches the wall.
    - Report the watch time to the Head Lane Timer or the designated recorder, report if a late or missed pad touch is observed; and, if requested, present the watch for inspection. Lane Timers shall not clear their watches until a command to “clear watches” is given or the Referee signals that the next heat is ready to start.
  4. Timing Equipment Operator — The Timing Equipment Operator shall be responsible for the automatic or semi-automatic timing equipment, including the electronic starting system and scoreboard (if used), and shall advise the Referee of any system problems that might affect the accuracy of times or whenever the touchpad is observed to have failed to record the finish when the swimmer completed the race. The timing equipment should be placed so that the operator is able to observe the finish of each race.
  5. Timing Judge — Under the direction of the Referee, the Timing Judge shall determine the official time for each swimmer as follows:
    - Receive and review the automatic and/or semi-automatic timing results from the
    - Timing Equipment Operator and compare primary timing results with the back-up timing results to determine their validity.
    - Receive the times recorded by the Head Lane Timers from the Chief Timer and use those times to the extent needed to determine the official time for each swimmer.
    - Notify the Referee whenever a time obtained by the primary timing system cannot be used as the Official Time.
    - Record disqualifications approved by the Referee. A written record of all disqualifications signed by the Referee shall be given to the Recorder.
  6. Recorder — The Recorder shall:
    1. Record the Official Times and disqualifications
    2. Determine the official Order of Finish
    3. Publish the results; and
    4. May also determine the score of the meet.
5. Requirements for Official Time
  1. Performance Requirements
    - An official time can be achieved only in sanctioned swimming approved competition.
    - An official time for an event or a stroke can be achieved only in that event or stroke, or in an initial distance of such event or stroke (e.g. a backstroke time must be achieved in a backstroke event or the backstroke leg of a medley relay). Regardless of the stroke(s) used, times achieved in freestyle events can be recorded only as freestyle times.
  2. Timing Resolution — All timing systems, including manual watches, shall have a resolution of one one-hundredth of a second (0.01 second). Times from all systems shall be recorded to hundredths of a second. The digits representing thousandths shall be dropped with no rounding.
  3. System Requirements for Specific purposes
    - The official time may be used for the purpose listed only if timed by a timing system of at least the level required for that use.
    - World records can be established only when timed by an automatic timing system or a semi-automatic system if the automatic system malfunctions.
    - A backup time adjusted for timing system differences as described in may be used as an official time equal to the level of the timing system for which it has been adjusted.
6. Primary Timing System Use Of Official Time
  - Automatic Timing - Initial distance, splits and relay lead-off times for all purposes.
  - Manual with 2 watches unless Timing System Level 3 is specified
  - Backup Timing System Requirement — Except when the primary system consists of watches, backup timing shall be provided for all competitors. No swimmer shall be required to re-swim a race due to equipment failure which results in unrecorded or inaccurate time or place. It is the meet director’s responsibility to provide the proper timing systems so that swimmers can expect to achieve official times that will satisfy the requirements.
  - Use of Secondary and Tertiary Times — Secondary and tertiary times shall be recorded but shall not be used except to corroborate or correct missing or inaccurate primary/secondary results.
7. Determination of Official Time
  1. A Automatic Timing — When recorded by properly operating automatic timing equipment, the pad time shall be the official time.
  2. Semi-Automatic and Manual Timing — Whenever semi-automatic or manual timing is used, the times shall be determined as follows:
    - If two of the three button or watch times agree, that shall be the time for that timing system.
    - If all three buttons or watches disagree, the time of the intermediate button or watch shall be the time for that timing system.
    - If only two button or watch times are available, the time shall be the average of those two buttons or watch times. The digits representing thousandths of a second shall be dropped with no rounding.
    - If only one button or watch time is available, the time of that button or watch shall be the time for that timing system.
  3. Primary Timing System Malfunction — May have occurred if:
    1. The difference between the time obtained by the primary system and the back-up system(s) is .30 seconds or more.
    2. A late or missed touch is reported by an official observing the finish.
  4. Adjustment for the Timing System Difference — When the Referee determines that there is a malfunction of the primary timing system, the back-up time(s) shall be adjusted for the timing system difference prior to integrating them with accurate primary times in establishing the official times and determining the order of finish. The adjustment for timing system difference may be incorporated into the automatic or semi- automatic system by design or may be determined by calculating the consistent average difference between the primary and back-up systems used at that meet.
  5. Adjustment for Malfunction on a Lane — When a malfunction is confirmed on a lane, the back-up times for that lane shall be adjusted by calculating the average difference between valid primary and valid back-up times of the other lanes in that heat, or if necessary, using times from heats immediately preceding and/or following the heat. This shall be done by adding, or subtracting when appropriate, that average difference to the valid back-up time of the lane where the malfunction occurred.

9. Selection of the Regional Representative

Function Of the Regional Representatives

10. Review Committee

As per the AAU Code article 405.4.5 a Review Committee can be set up to handle disputes and to clarify situations that may come up that the local teams cannot sort out. The Review Committee shall have a minimum of 5 members. As per the code only two members can be from the same sport. Because the AFSA at this time has only swimming teams the Review Committee will have to be made up of all people from the sport of swimming.
Each Region shall have two Committee members. For a total of six members.
For all issues five Committee members shall vote. If an issue concerns a specific region then that region will get one vote. The member from that region who votes will be drawn from a hat by the Chairman of the Review Committee.
If an issue concerns the entire AFSA then all six members names will be put in a hat and the Chairman will draw the non voting member from the hat.
If the issue concerns two regions the four representative’s names from these two regions will be drawn from the hat by the Chairman to determine the none voting member.
The drawings will be witnessed by a neutral party.
The Review Committee Chairman is responsible for putting together a package with all documentation and meeting minutes of all issues brought before the committee. The intent is to have a complete history of all Review Committee actions. See the next section for this information
Review Committee Reviews and Minutes.

11. Junior Olympics

Junior Olympic Coordinator:
This person will take the full responsibility to organize everything required to send the AFSA swimmers to the Junior Olympics. This has to be someone who is already committed on going to the Junior Olympics. The AFSA Director in January will ask all the teams for a volunteer who would like to do this and the positions shown below. If more than one person volunteers to be the Coordinator then there will have to be a vote by the AFSA teams.
- Hotel arrangements
- Swimmers Kits
- JO swimmers registrations
- Regional Representatives from each region to assist the Coordinator with items for each region Coaches
Hotel Arrangements. The Director may want to do this himself. It is up to him.
Swimmers Kits. This person will decide on what to get for the swimmers, arrange to order these and arrange for the parents to pay for them. Typically the kit consists of sweats, suit, bag or back pack (with a vented pocket for wet suits), swim cap etc. The full name of the swimmer is put on the sweat jacket. Also this person arranges for the tee-shirts for the swimmers to wear and trade. As far as caps go a good cap is made available for the swimmers to wear in competition and a less expensive cap is made available for the swimmers to trade. Also this person will work on getting sponsors for the swimmers to offset their expenses
JO Swimmers/Coaches Registration. The Coordinator may want to do this himself but delegating this may make his job easier. This is up to the Coordinator. This person should be someone that is going to the Junior Olympics
Regional Representatives to coordinate the Junior Olympic items with the Coordinator. This is the person who will be the single point contact in each region for the Coordinator to talk to for information.
Coaches. After all the registrations are in Coaches are picked from the parents that are going to the JO’s. There also may be a case where a coach wants to go along even if he/she does not have a child(ren) of their own participating. The JO coordinator along with the AFSA Director will decide on who the coaches will be. If there are too many coach volunteers or concerns about who coaches then the AFSA Board along with the JO Coordinator will decide on who coaches. Coaches are needed for the following;
- Head Coach to ensure there are coaches for each age group
- 10 and Under Boys and Girls
- 11/12 Boys and Girls
- 13/14 Boys and Girls
- 16 and over
The intent is to have a coach for each age group who is fully responsible for the group they are assigned to. The Coordinator will have to decide on who will handle all protests.

12. Frequently Asked Questions

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1. Mission, Vision, and Core Objectives

2. Intent of these Guidelines

3. AFSA Board of Directors Yearly Duties

Statistician

NATIONAL RECORD CERTIFICAION

Arabia Falcons Swimming Association

Registration Chair

Executive Committee

AFSA Regional Representatives

8. AFSA National and Regional Meet Officials

9. Selection of the Regional Representative

10. Review Committee

11. Junior Olympics

12. Frequently Asked Questions

13. Disclaimer

Club

Meets

Rules