We ask that at every meet, our Hub
Fins parents volunteer to time.
There is usually one parent in
charge of timing assignments from our team. Once you have
arrived to the meet, check in with this person to pick a time
during the day you are able to help. Please read below on
what to do once it is time for your timing duties.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR LANE
TIMERS
1. The Chief Timer
will assign each timer to a specific lane and
designate one timer per lane as the
Head Lane
Timer.
2. Remember that
timing is one
of the most important positions at the meet. Your input is always
needed to determine a swimmer’s Official Time.
3 You may operate a
button and/or a watch, but may never operate two buttons or two
watches at the same time.
4 Become familiar
with the watch you will be using at the meet. In particular, know
which button starts, stops and clears (resets) the watch. Start and
stop the watch with the same finger.
5 The Head
Lane Timer
should check each swimmers name, preferably by asking for the
swimmer’s name. For relays, the team and the order in which
the swimmers compete should be checked.
6 Do not engage in
conversation with swimmers prior to their race unless they initiate
the conversation.
7 Prior to the race
you should be sitting or standing (if no chairs are provided) far
enough back so you will not distract the starter or competing
swimmers.)
8 At the start,
focus on the starting device (strobe light or gun flash) and start
the your watch on that signal, rather than the sound. When
an automatic or semi-automatic timing system
is being used, buttons are not pushed at the
start.
9 Once each heat has
started, check to be sure your watch is running. If it is not or
you think you started it late, signal the Chief Timer by raising
your hand with the watch showing.
10 For distance
events (16 lengths or longer) the Head Lane Timer
records split times each time the swimmer turns at your end of the
pool. These split times may be taken either from the scoreboard (if
available) or from glancing at the watch without stopping
it.
11 Be at the edge of
the pool at the finish. You must be looking down over the forward
edge to see an underwater touch. Expect to get wet. Stop your watch
when any part of the swimmer’s body touches the wall. You are
not concerned with whether the finish was legal.
12 Always push the
same button at the finish.
13 Times should
always be recorded to the hundredths of a second (two decimal
places), and in the same order for each heat. If there is no one in
the lane, record
"No Swimmer" as N/S.
14 Stay focused on
your duties, particularly during the start and finish. Do not cheer
for particular swimmers and do not get so interested in watching a
race in another lane that you
do not get an accurate time for the lane you are
timing.
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