CSI Officials	CSI Officials Library

June 10, 1999

Guidelines for the "No Recall" Starting Procedure

This procedure should be in all meet information after May of 2000.  Please Cite 102.14.4H in the Meet Information as this is the requirement for it to be used.

RATIONALE
The first start generally is the swimmer's best effort. Therefore, swimmers should not be penalized for a good start by having a race recalled due to someone false starting. Under the "no recall" starting procedure, the penalty for a false start is imposed on the offender after completion of the swim. This starting procedure, however, emphasizes swimmer's responsibility to concentrate on the start and the race and not be affected by actions of the other swimmers on the blocks. If confirmed by the Referee, swimmer's reaction to the movement by another swimmer could result in a disqualification or at the very least, in a delayed response to the start signal. Also note that, under this procedure, informing the athletes about a disqualification for a false start after the event is consistent with all other disqualifications under the swimming rules.

STARTER'S RESPONSIBILITIES
Usual National Championship starting procedures will be in place, except that, if a false start occurs, no recall signal will be given. Instead, the Starter shall allow the race to proceed and shall make a written record and immediately report to the Referee the lane or lanes which false started. Any other observation by the starter or information relative to the start should also be reported.

If, after assuming the starting position on the command "take your mark" a swimmer leaves their mark prior the start signal and the Starter has time to give the "stand" command, no signal shall be given and the offending swimmer will be disqualified by the Referee or a Referee's designee after confirming the lane with the Starter. All other swimmers entering the water in reaction to the "stand" command shall be released. The starter shall inform the heat by saying "please remain motionless" or "second start" and shall restart the heat.

The Starter may recall a heat for unusual circumstances, such as a lane line break, sudden noise interfering with the start signal, or anything that may affect fair conduct of the race.

REFEREE'S RESPONSIBILITIES
The Referee shall use the current National Championship procedure for initiating a race and shall observe each start for movement prior to the signal and other irregularities. The Referee shall record the observations immediately after the start, but shall allow the race to continue without recall. If the Referee and Starter independently agree on the infraction and the lane or lanes, the swimmer or swimmers in those lanes shall be charged with a false start. The referee or a designee shall inform swimmers of the violation upon completion of the race. No false start can be charged if a heat is instinctively recalled by the Starter and the heat shall be restarted. In the 50 meter races, notification of the infraction will be communicated by the referee or the chief judge at the starting end to the chief judge at the finish end who then will inform the athlete of the infraction.

RECALL STARTER
A recall starter will not be used with this procedure. The starter shall have full responsibility of ensuring that proper starting procedures are implemented and enforced.