MSSL TIMERS’ INFORMATION SHEET
1. Usually most stopwatches have 2 buttons to push. You push the right button when the horn or light/signal sounds. Push the same button again to stop the time when the swimmer touches the wall with their hand on freestyle, butterfly, breaststroke, and backstroke. As the swimmer is coming close to the wall step forward to lean out and see EXACTLY when the hand touches the wall. Be prepared to get wet! If you are not getting wet (especially from the knees down), you are not doing your job. Note: On backstroke the rule states that the time stops when ANY part of the body touches the finish wall—which can often be the head of the younger swimmers.
2. Once you have the time, then all 3 times from each lane timer’s watch needs to be recorded on the lane sheet. One person per lane will be designated to hold the clipboard with the lane timer sheets and legibly writes all the times in the 3 spaces provided for that swimmer.
3. All 3 timers will clear their watches by pushing in the left button. The watches should read zeros across to will be ready for the next swimmer.
4. If time permits, the person with the clipboard circles the previous swimmer’s official time. Although there is a 4th space to the right of the other 3 that says OFFICIAL TIME, disregard it and only circle. Sometimes you do not have time to circle, and that is OK.
5. This is how official time is determined:
a. If all 3 lane timer’s watches are the same (very unusual), then that is the official time (i.e. they all read 53:01, 53:01, 53:01). The recording timer would then circle one of the 53:01 times.
b. If 2 times are the same, then that is the official time. I.e.…52:04 52:09 52:04. The recording timer would then circle one of the 52:04 times.
c. If all 3 times are different, then the middle time is the official time. I.e.….27:01 26:56 26:59. Since 26:59 is between 27:01 and 26:56, then that is the time to circle.
d. NOTE: If only 2 watches are working and 2 times are recorded, do not worry about circling the official time. The scorekeepers will average the times for you.
6. WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU FORGET TO START YOUR WATCH AT THE SIGNAL? Raise your hand and ask the head timekeeper to change watches with you. Each team should have a Head Timer with two extra watches to start as a back-up.
7. At the end of the meet, be sure to stop the watch so the batteries do not run down, and return it to the designated person from your team responsible for gathering the watches before leaving.
8. Jobs of the timers:
a. To be attentive during the meet to get the best time for every swimmer.
b. To ensure that the person swimming in your lane is the one whose name appears on the lane timer’s sheet. If it is a swimmer whose age is 10 or under, it will be as the swimmer exits the water. Ask them, “Are you Sally Smith?” If yes, that’s great. If not, then you need to raise your hand to let the referee know that the wrong person swam. The older swimmers—ages 13-17—and all relays will both begin and end at the starting area.
c. Be careful on relays! Do not stop your watch on relays until the fourth swimmer touches the finish wall.
d. To walk from one end of the pool to the other when instructed to do so by the meet referee or starter. Note: the younger swimmers swim only one length of the pool, whereas the older swimmers swim two lengths.
e. Encourage each swimmer—no matter what team they are from—who swims in your lane to finish their race. It is hard for the little swimmers to make that long distance from one end of the pool to another.
f. Make sure that every lane has a mixture of timers from BOTH teams….two and one or vice versa. Never have 3 timers all from the same team in the same lane.
9. NOTE: It is NOT the job of the timer to do anything but encourage the swimmer to finish their swim. Do not remind them to do a 2 hand touch on butterfly or breaststroke. Do not put your hand in the water to prevent the swimmer from bumping their head—although it is a natural parental reaction to protect them.
Do not tell them when to dive in or shout, “GO!” That is the coaches’ job. As children are use to following directions from parents, they are likely to listen and obey. However, your best intention might be wrong.
10. NOTE: Host teams have a method of bringing timers and officials cold water to drink during the meet. However, you may bring a water thermos if you wish. Should you need a bathroom break, raise your hand to see if the head timer will replace you during your brief absence. Be sure to let your child/children know that Mom or Dad is doing an important job and that they should not approach you to ask a question. Instead, they should visit the other parent who is not working at the meet.
