Positions Perfect for Everyone
These positions require no prior training and are perfect for new swim team families. We’ll show you what to do, and you’ll be a pro in no time!
Timers
Timers use hand-held buttons to record individual swimmers’ times in each race. This is the most common first-timer position! It gets you right in the middle of things and lets you learn. There are 3 timers per lane so you won’t be on your own! You’ll watch for the strobe light (not listen for the horn!), hit the button, and stop it when your swimmer touches the wall. That’s it. Our system does the rest of the work. The Head Timer will review everything with you before the meet starts and act as backup if needed. You will most likely get a little wet!
Remember: Look for the light, not the sound!
Runners
Runners carry event cards from the Clerk of Course to the timers before each race, then from the timers to the scorekeepers after. You’ll get your steps in and stay right in the middle of all the action! This is also another common position that first-timers like!
Clerk of Course Team Members
Working under the Head Clerk, you’ll help organize swimmers by event, heat, and lane. You’re making sure the right kids are in the right place at the right time, which is essential for keeping the meet moving! You are right there to cheer them on before they dive into the water.
Head Timer
The Head Timer ensures all lanes have the correct number of timers and that everyone has buttons, pencils, and clipboards, as needed. Before the meet starts, you’ll review all rules and procedures with volunteer timers. You’ll also act as backup if a timer’s button malfunctions or if someone needs to be replaced.
Announcer
The announcer keeps the crowd informed and energized! You’ll announce each event, share the current score, call swimmers who need to report to the Clerk of Course, and make special announcements. A clear voice and enthusiastic personality are all you need.
Ribbon Writers
After each event, you’ll put the winners’ name labels onto their ribbons. It’s a great position if you want to help out while staying in one spot (often in the AC!), and kids love receiving their ribbons with their names on them!
Food Concessions
Our concession stand during home meets is a vital fundraiser and keeps swimmers and families fed throughout the meet. You’ll sell pizza, candy, nachos, snow cones, and other goodies. Set-up and clean-up help is also needed for this area.
Set-up and Clean-up Crew
Before home meets, help set up equipment like chairs, the Clerk of Course area, announcer section, and scorer section. After meets, ensure we leave the pool deck spotless. These crews are essential but often overlooked, and deeply appreciated! Clean up crews sometimes get leftovers from the concessions shhh
Positions Requiring Training & Certification
These positions require attending an RSL training clinic, but don’t let that intimidate you! Online training is available, and once you’re certified, you’ll have a valuable skill you can use all season long. These are all vital positions that we are unable to start the swim meet without.
Training and more information may be found at rsl.swimtopia.com
Referee
The referee is the ultimate authority at the meet. No disqualifications are valid until the referee signs the DQ form, and all disputes are immediately referred to the referee for final resolution. This position requires strong knowledge of swimming rules and the ability to make quick, fair decisions. We recommend that only those who have held most of the other positions learn this one.
Starter
The starter issues the starting commands to swimmers and operates the strobe light with the horn system that begins each race. Timing and consistency are key. You’re responsible for giving every swimmer a fair start. We recommend this position for anyone who is comfortable giving commands. You work with the referee on timing.
Stroke and Turn Judges
These officials watch swimmers carefully to ensure each one executes turns and swims each stroke according to league rules. You’ll need a good eye for detail and knowledge of proper technique for all four strokes (part of the training). This position might feel like the most intimidating, but DQs are how all swimmers learn to complete the stroke properly, and when in doubt, the benefit goes to the swimmer. We recommend this for anyone quick to learn and focused on helping swimmers become even better. You work directly with the referee.
Head Clerk of Course
The Head Clerk organizes swimmers before their events, assigns them to lanes, and gives them their event cards. You’re essentially the traffic controller of the meet, keeping everything flowing smoothly and making sure swimmers know where they need to be. We recommend this for anyone who is okay with a little chaos and turning it into order.
Scorekeeper
The scorekeeper handles all the data aspects of the meet, working with coaches to get entries seeded, processing referee and judge actions, providing award labels, and everything else related to meet data. Computer skills are helpful for this role.