is the clock operator allowed to tell the officials that a team has 6 players on the court?

Sure, why not? Hell, I've even had opposing coaches call that to my attention before.

As long as they'll tell us when the <b>home</b> team has 6 on the court too. :D

2-1-2 makes it clear that the scorer and timer are to assist the referee and umpire(s).

". . . The game officials shall be a referee and an umpire or a referee and two umpires who shall be assisted by an official timer and scorer."


They are part of the officials crew and according to 2-11-2 have a duty to inform them of such things.

". . . Notify the nearer official when there is an infraction of the rules pertaining to submission of the roster, substitutions or numbers of players."


Pretty black and white, if you ask me.

PS Technically, this is a duty of the scorer not the timer, even though you inquired about the "clock operator."

Not really. The "numbers" referred to above is generally recognized as referring to the numbers on the uniforms, as in 2-11-1, not how many players are on the court.

You're reaching on that one, Nevada.

Naturally, you're right about that. When I read those words though, I just wasn't thinking that way. I was still focused on his question about the number of players on the court.

I will, however, still stick by the first part of my answer, that the table officials are officials and there to assist the crew.

I agree with Jurassic - numbers mean numbers listed in the scorebook.

However, I've given signals to refs before that they have 6 on the court (before the ball becomes live after a substitution) and if I'm reffing and the scorer/timer says something to me (discreetly and politely), I'll take a quick look.

So Mark, where have you been? Are you tabling this season? Gonna be around a little more?

thanks for all the replys, in the game in question, the clock operator buzzed the horn and signaled the ref 6 players on the court, is that truely right to do?

There is a case to made that this applies to the numbers on the shirts as well.

Especially, if it is double zero! :)

I think so.