Game Clock Operator Guidelines and Responsibilities
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2014
Clock Operator
Dress Code
Officials with the following qualifications will dress in full
uniform:
Scored a 75 or better on the FHSAA test, fingerprints on file
and cleared, registered with the FHSAA, registered as a field
official, and physically capable to work the game on the field.
Those who do not meet these qualifications will wear the
following: Registered as a clock operator only with the
FHSAA and cannot work the field due to physical problems,
Long Pants (no holes or ragged cuffs), Shoes with socks (no
flip flops, sandals or clogs), Shirt with a collar with no school
or team logo, CFOA pullover with CFOA Logo is ok. An
official’s hat is not necessary.
In addition to the above you must have a count down timer.
Game Clock Operator
Rules Study
Read Rule 3. It covers starting and
stopping the clock and other timing
issues.
Study the rest of the rule book to
become familiar with the fundamentals
of the game.
Keep your focus on the game not the
activities going on in the stands or the
areas around the stadium.
Game Clock Operator
Pre-Game
Be at the game site the same time as the rest
of the crew and attend the pre-game
conference. If field qualified you need to be
prepared to if an official goes down and you
have to come down and work the game.
Have a count down timer that works.
Leave your cell phone on off in the press box,
do not bring it to the press box it can be a
distraction. If need you can turn it on to sumon
security if necessary.
Follow the referee’s signal to start or stop the
clock even if it is in conflict with the rules.
Game Clock Operator
If you are not familiar with the game clock
console, get to the press box early so you
can become familiar with how to operate it.
You are responsible for keeping the time
accurately above all things.
Keeping the score is your other
responsibility.
Keep the down and distance if possible but
do not neglect starting and stopping the
clock. Your first responsibility is keeping the
game time accurately.
Game Clock Operator
If the school furnishes a person to keep the
down and distance allow them to do so.
Do not make comments about a call the crew
made or give your opinion about what should
have been called or not called.
Do not have discussions about the game with
TV, radio, newspaper or internet reporters in
the press box or after the game.
If a fight or brawl occurs, write down what you
observed and give it to the R. Do not discuss
the incident with anyone in press box, at
home, with other officials, school personnel
and especially the media.
Game Clock Operator
Set the pre-game clock to expire 5 minutes
before the scheduled kickoff. 7:25 for a
7:30 kickoff.
Do not allow the horn to sound on the
game clock while the band is playing the
National Anthem.
High School games are 4 quarters,12
minutes in length for varsity.
Halftime for varsity games are 17 minutes
with an additional mandatory 3 minute
warm up time for the teams.
Game Clock Operator
Once the 17 minutes expire for the
halftime you will immediately put the 3
minute warm up time on the clock. Even
if the band is still playing.
If the referee gives the signal to shorten
the half time follow his instructions.
Watch the referee for the ready for play
signal. He may wind it or point to the ball
so you know it starts on the snap.
Game Clock Operator
Kickoff
The clock does not start on a kickoff or
free kick until the receivers touch the
ball inbounds. The end men should wind
the clock if it is touched by the receivers
inbounds.
First touching by the kickers does not
start the clock.
The clock does not start if the ball goes
into the receiver’s end zone untouched
by the receivers.
Game Clock Operator
Kickoff
The same goes for a free kick going out of
bounds which has not been touched by a
receiver. The clock will not start during the
kick.
Start the clock when any member of the
crew winds it indicating that a receiver
touched the kick inbounds.
Stop the clock when any member of the
crew gives the stop the clock signal after
the play is over or after a fair catch is
signaled and the ball is caught.
Game Clock Operator
Clock Starts on the snap
After a kickoff to start a new series of downs
change of team possession
an incomplete pass
player in possession of the ball going out of bounds
scrimmage kick going out of bounds
fumble going out of bounds
after a scoring kick other than a try. Start on first
touching by the receiver on the kickoff following the
score.
after a charged team timeout
referee deems a team is trying to unfairly conserve
time
Clock Operator
Clock Stops
If the clock was running and a foul occurs before the
snap, stop the clock. The crew member who dropped the
flag should stop the clock.
If there is a penalty during or after the play stop the clock.
Stop the clock after a score.
Stop the clock on an incomplete pass after the play is
dead
Stop the clock if a runner in possession of the ball goes
out of bounds or if a loose ball goes out of bounds.
Stop the clock when, during a free or scrimmage kick the
ball is declared dead
Stop the clock after a completed fair catch
Stop the clock after a first down
Stop the clock on any officials signals.
Clock Operator
Running Clock
Once a team achieves a 35 point lead
after the 2
nd
quarter a running clock is
mandated by the FHSAA.
Once a running clock starts it keeps
running even if the losing team get the
point differential below 35 points.
Only stop the clock on the referees
signal. All other officials will use their
regular mechanics.
Clock Operator
Running Clock
The only time the clock will stop is for
the following; mandatory water breaks,
team or official timeouts, injury timeouts.
Do not stop the clock after a touchdown,
field goal, try or for penalty enforcement.
This is a time where you must keep you
focus on the game and not be distracted
by others in the press box or activities
on the sidelines or the stands.
Clock Operator
Game Clock Goes Out
It the game clock fails, you will come down
to the field and be positioned behind the
LJ.
You will remain outside the 2 yard belt and
move down the field with the LJ so you can
keep the crew informed of the time
remaining.
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Game Cock Operator
Overtime Periods
You will remain in the press box and
keep the score. Do not come down to
the field.
Since you are not keeping the time any
longer you can keep the down and
distance.
As soon as the game is over leave the
press box ASAP and meet the crew so
you can leave the field together.
Game Clock Operator
General Information
If a fight breaks out in the stands step back
from the press box window. See the CFOA
Emergency Action Plan.
After the game do not linger to talk to
people you may know. Immediately come
down and meet the crew so you can all
leave together.
If you have a problem with anyone in the
press box let game management or your
referee know as soon as possible. He will
get with game management or security and
get it resolved.
Game Clock Operators
Action Plan
Please read the Emergency Action on
the CFOA web page.
Know what to do in case of an
emergency. If weather threatens, civil
unrest or if you fear for your safety use
your cell phone to call 911.
Please represent the CFOA in a
professional manner.
Game Clock Operator
Being the game clock operator does not
diminish your standing with the crew.
Take it from someone who had worked
the game clock at the High School,
College and Professional levels; a good
clock operator is vital to the success of
the crew.
Football is a game of inches but more
importantly it is also a game of seconds.
Guidelines and responsibilities for game clock operators, including dress code, rules study, pre-game preparations, and in-game conduct. Operators must be qualified, familiar with game timing procedures, and maintain focus on accurate timekeeping. Follows procedures for pre-game, game-time operations, and interactions with officials and media.
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Presentation Transcript
2014 CFOA FOOTBALL CFOA FOOTBALL CLOCK OPERATORS CLOCK OPERATORS
Clock Operator Dress Code Officials with the following qualifications will dress in full uniform: Scored a 75 or better on the FHSAA test, fingerprints on file and cleared, registered with the FHSAA, registered as a field official, and physically capable to work the game on the field. Those who do not meet these qualifications will wear the following: Registered as a clock operator only with the FHSAA and cannot work the field due to physical problems, Long Pants (no holes or ragged cuffs), Shoes with socks (no flip flops, sandals or clogs), Shirt with a collar with no school or team logo, CFOA pullover with CFOA Logo is ok. An official s hat is not necessary. In addition to the above you must have a count down timer.
Game Clock Operator Rules Study Read Rule 3. It covers starting and stopping the clock and other timing issues. Study the rest of the rule book to become familiar with the fundamentals of the game. Keep your focus on the game not the activities going on in the stands or the areas around the stadium.
Game Clock Operator Pre-Game Be at the game site the same time as the rest of the crew and attend the pre-game conference. If field qualified you need to be prepared to if an official goes down and you have to come down and work the game. Have a count down timer that works. Leave your cell phone on off in the press box, do not bring it to the press box it can be a distraction. If need you can turn it on to sumon security if necessary. Follow the referee s signal to start or stop the clock even if it is in conflict with the rules.
Game Clock Operator If you are not familiar with the game clock console, get to the press box early so you can become familiar with how to operate it. You are responsible for keeping the time accurately above all things. Keeping the score is your other responsibility. Keep the down and distance if possible but do not neglect starting and stopping the clock. Your first responsibility is keeping the game time accurately.
Game Clock Operator If the school furnishes a person to keep the down and distance allow them to do so. Do not make comments about a call the crew made or give your opinion about what should have been called or not called. Do not have discussions about the game with TV, radio, newspaper or internet reporters in the press box or after the game. If a fight or brawl occurs, write down what you observed and give it to the R. Do not discuss the incident with anyone in press box, at home, with other officials, school personnel and especially the media.
Game Clock Operator Set the pre-game clock to expire 5 minutes before the scheduled kickoff. 7:25 for a 7:30 kickoff. Do not allow the horn to sound on the game clock while the band is playing the National Anthem. High School games are 4 quarters,12 minutes in length for varsity. Halftime for varsity games are 17 minutes with an additional mandatory 3 minute warm up time for the teams.
Game Clock Operator Once the 17 minutes expire for the halftime you will immediately put the 3 minute warm up time on the clock. Even if the band is still playing. If the referee gives the signal to shorten the half time follow his instructions. Watch the referee for the ready for play signal. He may wind it or point to the ball so you know it starts on the snap.
Game Clock Operator Kickoff The clock does not start on a kickoff or free kick until the receivers touch the ball inbounds. The end men should wind the clock if it is touched by the receivers inbounds. First touching by the kickers does not start the clock. The clock does not start if the ball goes into the receiver s end zone untouched by the receivers.
Game Clock Operator Kickoff The same goes for a free kick going out of bounds which has not been touched by a receiver. The clock will not start during the kick. Start the clock when any member of the crew winds it indicating that a receiver touched the kick inbounds. Stop the clock when any member of the crew gives the stop the clock signal after the play is over or after a fair catch is signaled and the ball is caught.
Game Clock Operator Clock Starts on the snap After a kickoff to start a new series of downs change of team possession an incomplete pass player in possession of the ball going out of bounds scrimmage kick going out of bounds fumble going out of bounds after a scoring kick other than a try. Start on first touching by the receiver on the kickoff following the score. after a charged team timeout referee deems a team is trying to unfairly conserve time
Clock Operator Clock Stops If the clock was running and a foul occurs before the snap, stop the clock. The crew member who dropped the flag should stop the clock. If there is a penalty during or after the play stop the clock. Stop the clock after a score. Stop the clock on an incomplete pass after the play is dead Stop the clock if a runner in possession of the ball goes out of bounds or if a loose ball goes out of bounds. Stop the clock when, during a free or scrimmage kick the ball is declared dead Stop the clock after a completed fair catch Stop the clock after a first down Stop the clock on any officials signals.
Clock Operator Running Clock Once a team achieves a 35 point lead after the 2ndquarter a running clock is mandated by the FHSAA. Once a running clock starts it keeps running even if the losing team get the point differential below 35 points. Only stop the clock on the referees signal. All other officials will use their regular mechanics.
Clock Operator Running Clock The only time the clock will stop is for the following; mandatory water breaks, team or official timeouts, injury timeouts. Do not stop the clock after a touchdown, field goal, try or for penalty enforcement. This is a time where you must keep you focus on the game and not be distracted by others in the press box or activities on the sidelines or the stands.
Clock Operator Game Clock Goes Out It the game clock fails, you will come down to the field and be positioned behind the LJ. You will remain outside the 2 yard belt and move down the field with the LJ so you can keep the crew informed of the time remaining. You are not to stand behind the R or BJ to keep the time even if you are in uniform. This practice was eliminate a long time ago.
Game Cock Operator Overtime Periods You will remain in the press box and keep the score. Do not come down to the field. Since you are not keeping the time any longer you can keep the down and distance. As soon as the game is over leave the press box ASAP and meet the crew so you can leave the field together.
Game Clock Operator General Information If a fight breaks out in the stands step back from the press box window. See the CFOA Emergency Action Plan. After the game do not linger to talk to people you may know. Immediately come down and meet the crew so you can all leave together. If you have a problem with anyone in the press box let game management or your referee know as soon as possible. He will get with game management or security and get it resolved.
Game Clock Operators Action Plan Please read the Emergency Action on the CFOA web page. Know what to do in case of an emergency. If weather threatens, civil unrest or if you fear for your safety use your cell phone to call 911. Please represent the CFOA in a professional manner.
Game Clock Operator Being the game clock operator does not diminish your standing with the crew. Take it from someone who had worked the game clock at the High School, College and Professional levels; a good clock operator is vital to the success of the crew. Football is a game of inches but more importantly it is also a game of seconds.
