Officials
WHY BECOME AN OFFICIAL #
To run a successful and equitable competition, a variety of officials are required, both on-ice and off-ice. Officiating careers often commence at the local or regional level, but with appropriate skills and training, officials have the potential to represent the US, including at prestigious international evens such as the Olympic Games.
Officials Positions#
The Referee holds the position of 'Chief Executive Officer' during a competition and assumes responsibility for resolving disputes and addressing rule violations. Previous experience in other officiating roles or as a skater are helpful but not mandatory. Great leadership skills are advantageous for individuals aspiring to become Referees. These assets contribute to the ability to effectively oversee the competition and make decisions.
Knowledge of USS Rules & Regulations and eventually ISU Rules are important tools for a referee. Short Track referees are on ice and need a minimum skating ability while Long Track officials can be on foot.
Both disciplines work with assistant referee(s). The primary responsibility of assistant referees in both disciplines is to assist the chief referee in making accurate decisions by providing additional input and observations.
Short Track
Recommended Skills
- previous speed skating or leadership experience preferred, but not required
- ability to skate on speed skates in an upright position preferred but not required
- growing knowledge of ISU and USS rules and regulations
Responsibilities
- work closely with Competitor Steward on race schedule
- ensure that all applicable competition rules are observed
- make decisions on infringements, penalties, and advancements if appropriate
- decide whether the conditions of ice and safety measures at track permit holding the event
- stop race during its progress if any safety concerns arose
- replace starter or other officials as needed
- all other duties and powers under ISU rule 290, paragraph 4 and following
Long Track
Recommended Skills
- previous speed skating or leadership experience preferred, but not required
- ability to skate on speed skates in an upright position preferred but not required
- growing knowledge of ISU and USS rules and regulations
Responsibilities
- check eligibility of other officials and all competitors
- draw or arrange pairs according to rules & regulations; adjust or rearrange pairs after withdraw
- ensure that all applicable competition rules are observed
- make decisions on infringement and disqualify competitors if appropriate
- decide whether the condition of ice and safety measures at track permit holding the event
- introduce alterations in announced program of competition
- stop a race during its progress if any safety concerns arose
- replace starter or other officials if needed
- all other duties and powers are under ISU Rules 216
The Competitor Steward indeed plays a vital role in the setup and smooth operation of a short track competition. Their responsibilities encompass various tasks that are crucial to the overall organization of the event.
Short Track
Recommended Skills
- good prior understanding of race progression
- basic knowledge of USS and ISU rules
- focus on numbers and details
- work well and stay calm under time pressure
Responsibilities
- check eligibility of all competitors leading up to race weekend
- assign helmet numbers to registered skaters
- develop a first races schedule and present to referee and meet director
- determine and make-up the races for each qualifying and subsequent round
- note any penalties and/or advancements and consider for following rounds
- all other duties and powers are under ISU Rules 290 paragraph 10.
Long Track
Most of the above mentioned tasks will be taken on by the Meet Director and/or the referees. For ISU World Cup and World Championships a 'Sport Expert' is assigned, who takes on certain administrative tasks on behalf of the referees.
The Starter initiates the starting procedure by calling the competitors to their starting lanes. He relies on referees and/or timers to inform him when the race is ready to be started. The competitors stay under the command and control of the starter during the procedure until a valid start has been completed.
They use specific commands, such as "go to the start" and "ready" to cue the skaters before initiating the race by firing the gun. Starters must maintain composure and deliver consistent start instructions throughout the entire competition. The role is essential in providing a level playing field for all skaters and ensuring that racist comment smoothly and without.
Starting interval and commands might differ between Long Track and Short Track.
Short Track
Recommended Skills:
- know where the starting lines are for each distance
- understand which color armband corresponds with each lane line (red outer, white inner)
- cadence when giving commands
- be able to make quick and accurate decisions
- maintain impartiality and neutrality throughout the competition
- will be able to troubleshoot under pressure
- will be able to stays positive and work well on teams; communicate effectively with other volunteers and officials
Responsibilities
- retrieve starter gun from Meet Director, assemble and setup starter stand
- test and relocate equipment to starting lines prior to each event
- control the starting procedures by giving commands and deciding any disputes
- communicate with officials about false starts
- report to chief referee
Long Track
Recommended Skills:
- know where the starting lines are for each distance
- understand which color armband corresponds with each lane line (red outer, white inner)
- cadence when giving commands
- be able to make quick and accurate decisions
- maintain impartiality and neutrality throughout the competition
- will be able to troubleshoot under pressure
- will be able to stays positive and work well on teams; communicate effectively with other volunteers and officials
Responsibilities
- retrieve Starter gun from Meet Director, assemble and setup Starter stand
- test and relocate equipment to starting lines prior to each event
- control the starting procedures by giving commands and deciding any disputes
- communicate with officials about false starts
- report to chief referee
The Photo Finish Judges are responsible for examining the photo finish images and determines the order of finish and the respective times for each competitor. The PF Judge then reports this information to the Competitor Steward that records the results of each race.
The results determined through the photo finish analysis are considered official, indicating that they carry the weight and authority of the event's organizers and governing bodies.
Short Track & Long Track
Recommended Skills
- detail oriented
- familiarity with electronic equipment like computers, cameras, network set up is preferred but not required
- being able to sit for prolonged time frames
- work well in a small team
Responsibilities
- determine and evaluating the photo finish time for each skater crossing the line down to 1/1000 of a second
- help with set up and break down of photo finish equipment the day before races
- follow instructions of the chief Photo Finish Judge
- communicate results to Competitor Steward and report any discrepancies or issues to the referee
Timer
The timer plays a crucial role in accurately measuring the time of skaters during a race. They utilize a manual timer or stopwatch to record the skaters times, which are then used to determine the rankings and advancements in the competition. In events were electronic timing systems are in use, manual time serves backup data. The Timer's precision and attention to detail are essential for ensuring accurate and reliable timing information for each participant.
Judge
The finish line judge has the responsibility of determining the order in which skaters cross the finish line in a race. This task request keen attention, especially considering that skaters often finish in close proximity to each other. While competitions may have an electronic timing system in place, the determination made by the Finish Line Judge serves as a backup to ensure accurate results. Their attentiveness and precision are vital in accurately determining the order of finish for a race.
Short Track
Recommended Skills
- quick reaction time and attention to detail
- able to track fast movement
- proficient in basic math; can calculate time variance using simple formulas
- positive teamwork and effective communication with other volunteers and officials
- can operate a radio and follow written & verbal instructions
Responsibilities
- time metric skaters using a standard stop watch, sometimes more than one per race
- accurately track and record skaters' times
- captures any times missed by electronic timing system
- communicate and coordinate with other volunteers to ensure each competitor gets timed
- reports to Chief Manual Timer
Long Track
Recommended Skills
- quick reaction time and attention to detail
- able to track fast movement
- proficient in basic math; can calculate time variance using simple formulas
- positive teamwork and effective communication with other volunteers and officials
- can operate a radio and follow written & verbal instructions
Responsibilities
- time metric skaters using a standard stop watch, sometimes more than one per race
- accurately track and record skaters' times
- captures any times missed by electronic timing system
- communicate and coordinate with other volunteers to ensure each competitor gets timed
- reports to Chief Manual Timer
- record which skater crossed the finish line first
The primary responsibility of the Lap Counter is to keep a record of each lap skated by the lead skater . The Lap Counter is essential in ensuring the accurate number of laps are skated by each skater to complete the race. Lap Counters usually operate with a number chart displaying the remaining laps to the skaters.
Short Track
Recommended Skills
- attention to the race in progress
- knowledge of the race distances is helpful but not required
Responsibilities
- focus on the lead skater to accurately track the number of laps skated
- ensure visibility of the lap board so the skater can see the remaining laps
- if needed verbally shout the number of laps remaining to the lead skater
- ensure correct number of laps show at the start of the race
Long Track
Recommended Skills
- attention to the race in progress
- knowledge of the race distances is helpful but not required
Responsibilities
- focus on both skaters and ensure correct amount of laps is shown to each skater
- count down each completed lap and reflect on the lap board
- ring the bell when the lap board shows 1 lap to go to