Timing Instructions
1. There will be two timers per lane, one of whom has the clipboard and is responsible for checking swimmers’ names and writing down the times of the races.
2. Be sure to ask each swimmer his or her name before the race begins. If the name the swimmer gives you differs from the name on your timing sheet, check to make sure the swimmer knows the correct race and lane information. If the heat sheets are incorrect, just write in the swimmer’s first and last names and his or her time. If a swimmer does not arrive for his or her race, just write in the words No Show where you would normally write the times.
3. When the Starting Official blows a long whistle, the swimmers should step up on the blocks (or get into the pool). You may need to assist some of the younger swimmers who have not yet learned what the whistle blasts mean.
4. When the race starts, a tone will sound and a light will flash on the starting box near the Starting Official. Using your index finger (not your thumb), start your stopwatch when you see the flash of light, not when you hear the tone.
5. Be sure to check that you started your stopwatch correctly. If the stopwatch malfunctions or you did not start it correctly, signal to the Head Timer. The Head Timer will have two backup stopwatches which he or she starts at the beginning of each race. The Head Timer will exchange stopwatches with you so that you can finish timing the race.
6. As the swimmer nears the end of the lane, lean over the edge of the pool so that you can see the black cross on the wall. Stop your stopwatch as soon as you see any part of the swimmer’s body touch the wall.
7. Record your stopwatch time to the 100ths place, recording the times from each timer in the same order (i.e., the first timer records the time in the left column; the second timer records the time in the right column). Be sure to reset your stopwatch before the next race begins.
8. If the meet is using flyover starts, you may need to start your second stopwatch (if available) before you record the time for the race.
9. When your timing sheet is full, give the sheet to the Runner even if there are no times recorded on it.
10. Thank you SO much for volunteering to time; the meet cannot run without you!
