When to wind the clock?
 

Team A requests and is granted a timeout. As the teams are going to their benches, when do you instruct the timer to begin the timeout?

A) Right away
B) When both teams get to their benches EDIT: or after they have had ample time to organize.

Why do you do what you do? Is there a prescribed way to do this?

I give them reasonable time to get to the benches. Unless someone is looking for dandelions on his way to the bench, they're generally all there before I have the timer start.

Honestly, I don't really take into account when the teams get to their benches. By the time I ask the coach if it's a full or a 30, turn around to inform my partners and the other coach of what kind of timeout we have, and report to the table I assume both teams are at their benches.

So I instruct the timer to start the clock on the TO as soon as I'm done reporting it to the table.

That's what I've been doing. I'll take my time getting to the table to report.

I'll give the players ample time to get to their team area. It usually doesn't take too long since the process of asking the coach for a 30/60 timeout and informing my partner allows the players time to get to the bench.

It's a pet peeve of mine whenever the timer starts the timeout early. I know our resident scorer/timer expert wouldn't do this. :D

IAABO Mechanics Only ...
 

IAABO Mechanics Manual: Page 79, I: State and signal to the timer to start the timing device when both teams are near their respective bench areas.

I'm used to the floor officials signaling to start the TO Timer after both teams are at their benches. I do the same thing for intermissions (wait for the teams to be at their benches) to start the timer.

Majority of the time I've noticed that by the time the floor official has notified the table of the TO, the teams are already at their benches discussing gameplans.

NFHS Mechanics ...
 

NFHS Manual, Page 38, 2.4.4.B.4: Within the reporting area, give the appropriate timeout signal again for the type of timeout (30 sec or 60 sec), verbally indicate the team color, verbally and visually give the player number or head coach (indicate by forming the shape of a “C” with the hand) making the request, and direct (visually/verbally) the timer to begin the timeout period.

What? You mean the timers are supposed to monitor how long the timeouts are and hit the buzzer? Shocker! (sarc)

As other have stated, I wait until all the players get to their bench area before telling the timer to start the clock.

PS - I love the clock/scoreboards that have the TO countdown on them and the automatic horns at 15 secs! NICE! :)

Grunewar, the timer still has to tell the scoreboard controls about the timeout for the TO Timer to start. :rolleyes:

The scoreboard systems I know that have the TO Timer & Auto horn w/15 secs. left are the Daktronics units. What other units are there?

I would still rather use my watch's stopwatch or the stopwatch function on my iPod though over the system on the scoreboard.

I don't like the automatic systems. During the pregame, I instruct the timer to *always* give a second horn and to not wait for the end of the timeout period if both teams are ready. Don't the automatic systems also take the place of the game clock, too? Hate that.

On some systems that have the TO timer, the system freezes until after the TO Timer shows zero.

I had a scoreboard like this last night. It was kind of nice, but I agree with Rich. I'd like to be able to see the time left on the clock. I know, I can see it when the timeout is over, but that's usually what I do during a timeout, is take inventory of time, score, and team fouls.

Duh

Don't care.

I don't care if you use a stopwatch or your watch, but when I'm the R, I instruct all iPods, iPhones, PDA's and cell phones to be gone.

I'd like the other info to stay up too. (Hey, where's that guy who took the poll on how to design a clock when you need him?)

I don't mind going near the huddle and telling the teams, etc. But, any system that helps me get those friggin teams out of their timeouts and keeps the game moving I'm all for!

When they design the next scoreboard, and I'm sure the Eagle will tell us since I just know he's subscribed to Scoreboard Monthly, they ought to add just one little window for the timeout timer. They wouldn't need more than two digits.

Maybe a variation of the electronic dog collar? [I know this would be great for the coaches' boxes].

I like the way you think.

The iPod Touch has a stopwatch function on it, so if that was what was being used for a stopwatch you couldn't disallow it.

Two years ago when the scoreboard malfunctioned during Regionals, we were using iPhones & iPod Touch as timing devices, so sometimes just have to go with flow & with what's available, although I was using the stopwatch on my watch for TOs.

This is the first season I've had my iPod Touch so I'm still deciding on whether to use it or my watch for TO Timer.

I've got one too, and it's a great distraction from class, on the train, etc. That's exactly why officials might ban devices like that at the scorer's table. In fact I might start doing that myself, especially since I work a lot of underlevel games at which students are running the clock/doing the book.

And credit to Eagle for reminding me of something I forgot -- on some of these systems, there's no way to cut short a timeout once it's been started. Miserable system. If the timer starts telling me about such a system, I tell him/her to please use some other timing device and to use a manual horn. I always bring up the timeout where both teams are ready early as an example, so I don't look like a petty dictator (which I am, but it's nice if people don't see me that way).

I notify my partners first. Then I monitor the players as they go to their benches to ensure no dead-ball shenanigans. By that time the players are always clearly in their respective bench areas.

I've have scorers who seem to freak out b/c I don't indicate right away what type of TO it is. I indicate to them with my body language that I'm in charge, not them.

T Minus 15 Seconds And Counting ...
 

Hate 'em.

Agree. Some timers around these parts have trouble going back to the game clock when both teams are ready to rumble before the full 60 seconds have passed. I always like to see the time left in the period while picking my nose during a timeout.

You have been well trained little grasshopper. Be alive during a dead ball.

Me three.

My using the iPod Touch for the timeout timer will depend on various factors (will be testing the first 2-3 games of the season). The case I have it in when out'n'about is one of those active lifestyle cases that goes on the wrist. Of course, I'll still have my watch to use as well.

I only play the music on it in the car or at home, when out I use it for an additional watch, for the calculator when figuring out finances/sales tax, or as a countdown timer if waiting on something time-specific.

I turn my phone completely off when at the table. I did make a mention to the AD & principal when meeting with them about this season, that there's been a problem with the students using their phones &/or having their friends with them at the table were working as scorer.

So the question is then, which is more distracting: a phone/mp3 player or a friend?

Simply fascinating. How do you carry your TASER to ensure proper coach, player, official and AD compliance? Cross draw? Strong side? Weak side? Concealed?

The TASER is being installed in my iPod LMAO :eek::D

Both; I'd be inclined to ban them, too, although I hadn't thought of it so much. And to quote the President in response to your statement that we can't ban them; "Yes we can."

If you get an official who does so, you can always appeal to him by saying you're using it as a timing device for timeouts, but be prepared to use your watch.

It's not just the phone that can be distracting, and I don't know the scorer from Adam, so how am I supposed to know whether he plays games or surfs the internet in his spare time? I don't, so I'd be less likely to be flexible on this.

Even in a lower level game, there's bound to be someone in the gym with a wrist watch. If not, I've worked my share of games where the timer didn't have a stop watch and would prefer that to a distracted timer.

If you do that, you might want to think about investing $5 in a cheap stopwatch; especially if you do a signicant number of these games. I have a feeling I'll be breaking back in with some middle school games, so I think I'll be doing just that this winter.
If you don't, be prepared for the only timing device to be someone's smart phone. Not that it's likely, but it's possible. I'd probably allow it in that case, with the caveat that if the timer uses it for anything else during the game, he'll be replaced and we'll go without a timing device.

LMAO, I thought this forum, as a whole, was not to be turned political??

All that would have to be done is show the stopwatch function on the iPod before the game.

In the situation here where we have the shot clock for both men & women as well as the game clock, there might be no other choice but to use the stopwatch function on the iPod/iPhone, if due to technical difficulties the scoreboard is non-operational.

As I stated in an earlier post, I am thinking of using the iPod as a TO Timer for 1-2 games as a test. However I won't make that decision until game time.

Going OT: Apparently the Harlem Globetrotters are doing a penalty box & 4-pt. shot for the 2011 World Tour.

LMAO, I thought this forum, as a whole, was not to be turned political??

All that would have to be done is show the stopwatch function on the iPod before the game.

In the situation here where we have the shot clock for both men & women as well as the game clock, there might be no other choice but to use the stopwatch function on the iPod/iPhone, if due to technical difficulties the scoreboard is non-operational.

As I stated in an earlier post, I am thinking of using the iPod as a TO Timer for 1-2 games as a test. However I won't make that decision until game time.

Going OT: Apparently the Harlem Globetrotters are doing a penalty box & 4-pt. shot for the 2011 World Tour. BTW what should the foul be if you de-pants an opponent?

That would only work if my reason for not allowing it was doubt, but it's not. I don't doubt that you have such an app. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if there really was a fully functioning tazer app for the iPhone. That's not the issue, the issue is the rest of its functionality and ability to distract during a game. Frankly, I couldn't care less, and the younger the timer, the less inclined I'd be to allow it.

Snaq, I've been out of HS for 11 years. The TASER installed was a joke of course.

Highly unlikely my watch will break any time soon considering I bought it back in 2003 & haven't had to replace the battery once for it.

It's more likely I lose it or rush out without my watch, than having to replace the battery.

Bottom Line
 

Word!

Ok, easy solution, just take all music off as well as other unnecessary apps that can be removed.

That would just mean I was carrying a very expensive calculator & stopwatch LMAO.

Why not just make it easier & make it mandatory no electronics at the table? But then no electronics, no stopwatch.

I don't think you get it. If I request that all iPod/electronics disappear and I see one after that, I'm having you replaced. End of story.

Most table people are polite and are there to do a professional job. Those people, I don't care if they use a stopwatch, iPod or count 1-Mississippi, 2-Mississippi during timeouts. Hell, an AD played the anthem from an iTouch last weekend. I thought that was cool, actually.

+1 on all counts.

Rich,

What I was meaning was, before the game, show that an iPod with basic apps was being used as a timing device for TOs, or as a backup for equipment malfunctions.

All the rules state under Timer Equipment is: 2-12-3

"Be provided with a clock to be used for timing quarters, extra periods & intermissions, and a stopwatch for timing time-outs. The clock shall be operated by the official timer. The clock & a stopwatch shall be placed so
that they may be seen by the timer. The clock shall be started or stopped as
prescribed in Rule 5-8 and 5-9."

It does not specify that the stopwatch has to be JUST a stopwatch. Majority of the time the table is set up with all the equipment in advance of the floor officials arriving, & unknown about by the floor officials until the item is being used during the game. In the event of equipment malfunction where an iPod has to be used either as a game clock or shot clock it should not matter what is being used as a timing device, nor should it matter if that was the only option available if no other timing device was presented for use.

A person needs to be flexible to allow for different personal preferences. What would happen if you were to work in a gym where the timer (personal preference) used nothing but an iPod/iPhone as a timing device for TOs & did not want to use anything else due to the ease of use & familiarity of it?

Not always is there going to be additional personnel available that are trained/knowledgeable that can replace the person in question. Nor is there always going to be alternate equipment available.

If the floor officials ask/request that no electronic devices are to be at the table, some would see that as nothing should be at the table that uses digital readouts/batteries/plugged in.

Where you seem to have an issue is the thinking that just because it's an iPod it's going to be used as a distraction because of what it is. I used to have the same thought about the iPod, however now I see it as an electronic version of a Swiss Army Knife cause of all it's capabilities (Calculator, clock, stopwatch, timer, & music player). I, however, know there's a time & a place to use specific functions as at least I have learned to realize that there is a time & a place for everything.

There are times I'd rather have cooperation than competence. Like I said, if I have faith in the table people and they haven't demonstrated that they are not doing their job I don't really care what they do.

My problems start when the table people either decide they're running the show (they complain that I'm whistling in subs a step or two from the X for example) or when they don't follow my instructions (I want a second horn EVERY TIME, for example) or don't know their job (on a fifth foul, when I start the clock, there'd better be a horn five seconds later). I'm not a petty dictator, but the fact of the matter is that we (the officials) are the one running the show and the table crew aren't going to be telling the officials how to run the game.

If there were any issues about how I do things at the table, I would of been told by the AD or the principal.

Like I stated earlier, I am thinking of using my iPod's stopwatch function for only 1-2 games (at first) to see which is easier (my watch or iPod for TO Timer). Only if after I find I am more comfortable using my iPod as the TO Timer would I use it, but since I have not had a chance to try it in a game situation I do not know yet if it is something I would prefer.

At Regionals 2 years ago, when the scoreboard malfunctioned, yes iPods/iPhones were used as timing devices, however at the games that I did I used my watch as the TO Timer.

Nowhere did I say that I was trying to run everything.

And by the time Billy or I get done doing what we are supposed to do (see Billy's quote above), both teams should be in the vicinity of their team benches. Sometime, have your spouse attend a game with you and have her time you from the time you from the time you recognize a team's request for a timeout until you get finished doing with your reporting duties at the Table, and you will find that you have taken close to 30 seconds or more before you signal the Timer to start his stop watch; meaning that a full time out can last 90 seconds or more.

MTD, Sr.