{"id":355438,"date":"2019-03-04T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-03-04T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=355438"},"modified":"2019-03-02T11:56:35","modified_gmt":"2019-03-02T18:56:35","slug":"swimming-world-presents-official-word-teri-white","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/swimming-world-presents-official-word-teri-white\/","title":{"rendered":"Swimming World Presents: “Official Word – Teri White says, ‘Consider USMS!'”"},"content":{"rendered":"

This edition of “Official Word” has been brought to you by <\/span><\/h3>\n

Teri White<\/span><\/h1>\n

Chair of the USMS National Officials Committee<\/span><\/h3>\n

USMS Wants You!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Imagine the \u201cperfect heat\u201d: you seed by age, then by time, and you end up with a heat where the center lanes are vying for a world record. They\u2019re locked, loaded and ready to explode off the blocks.<\/p>\n

Now you\u2019re at a USMS meet, and the outside lanes in this heat could be competing for the first time! Huh? Yep, welcome to USMS (Masters) competition!<\/p>\n

Allow me to share some of the wonderful aspects of working these decks. They need our help, and you might discover that you\u2019ve found a new place to enjoy officiating. In the process, you\u2019ll be appreciated and reset before your next marathon meet.<\/p>\n

Most USMS meets are timed finals. When you\u2019re done for the day, you\u2019re done. There\u2019s time to socialize with new friends, your feet don\u2019t ache, and your shoes might even still be dry. In the past 10 years, I\u2019ve become more immersed in the USMS deck, and I find it an oasis that is irresistible.<\/p>\n

Local Masters meets are also a great place to take novice\/newer officials to hone their skills in a calmer environment. Many USMS athletes are former USA\/NCAA competitive swimmers (national\/Olympic level), and their techniques are perfect. Somewhat slower now, that makes them easy to observe and understand the mechanics as a new stroke-and-turn judge.<\/p>\n

A truly motivational experience is watching a heat of 80-89-year-old athletes swim the 400 IM perfectly legal. As a new starter, you can learn the difference between \u201cbalance issues\u201d and false-start motions at a pace that allows it to sink in. \u201cPatience\u201d takes on a clearer meaning as each heat could start from on the blocks, on the deck and in the water.<\/p>\n

At USMS national meets, we often pause to watch heats of our oldest swimmers compete. Everyone celebrates their efforts. It gives you chills watching an athlete who needs a little help on land move with grace and expertise through the water.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also common to see members of the USA national team join the meet for fun. The photo-ops that happen are priceless: 6-8 Matt Grevers standing with two 97-year-old women who barely come to his waist\u2014all grinning ear-to-ear and celebrating their backstroke wins.<\/p>\n

Or everyone watching Nathan Adrian and Anthony Ervin battle in the 50 free, but no times appear on the board because the pads weren\u2019t set for less than 20 seconds. But cheering and grins are all that matter. The camaraderie on the deck is energetic and infectious.<\/p>\n

To learn how you could become a USMS swimming official,
\ncheck out the March 2019<\/a> issue of Swimming World Magazine<\/em>, available now!<\/p>\n

Swimming World subscribers can download this issue in the Swimming World Vault<\/span><\/a><\/span>!<\/p>\n

\"SW<\/a><\/p>\n

[PHOTO CREDIT: PETER H. BICK]<\/p>\n

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