When timing a sports event like a basketball, hockey, football or soccer game, the individual timing an event must work in concert with the head official at the game. The sports timer must accurately run the clock and make sure the time remaining in a game, a period or a quarter is precise as well as the time remaining on an individual's penalty. The clock operator must communicate with players, coaches and the officials as a game progresses.
Step 1
Communicate with the referee in charge of the event and learn his signals. He will tell you exactly when he wants you to start the clock and when he wants you to stop it. In sports like basketball and hockey, the clock will start when the ball or puck goes into play. However, in football, the clock will start on certain occasions before the play starts. When the referee gives you the signal to start the clock, you must do it precisely at that time. Don't wait 2 or 3 seconds and don't anticipate it by starting before. Wait for the signal.
Step 2
Keep track of all penalties and fouls that occur in the game when you are keeping time at a hockey, basketball or soccer game. In hockey, teams will be shorthanded for two or five minutes when a player commits a penalty. You will have to start the penalty clock when the puck is put into play in addition to stating the game clock. When fouls are committed in basketball, you have to keep track of each team's total number of fouls and apprise the referee when a team or player has exceeded the prescribed number of fouls allowed in the game.
Step 3
Keep track of the time during all timeouts. Your job is to make sure the game resumes at the correct moment and that timeouts don't go too long or end too quickly. You must use a horn to signal when the event is to resume again.
Step 4
Do not argue with coaches or players about the time remaining in the game. There may be several times in a season where a game comes down to a play in the final seconds. Coaches may try to lobby to get a few extra seconds put back on the clock. That will be the referee's ultimate decision. Listen to him but don't argue with coaches.
Step 5
Talk to the referee if you know you have made a mistake while operating the clock. If you did not stop the clock precisely and it continued to move even though there was no action on the field, floor or ice, call the referee over and let him know the mistake that was made. He will advise you to put more time back on the clock. Don't put the time back on the clock yourself.
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