Game Clock Operator Guidelines and Responsibilities
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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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.
