Clock operator
 

How should a clock operator handle a situation in which the R either starts or stops the clock in error?
Here is my situation. I have working R for bout 20 years and think I have a pretty good grasp of timing rules. This is my "bye" week, but have been asked to be a clock operator at a game. No problem, glad to help out, but what should I do if there is a I am signaled to stop or start wrongly?

Do what the officials on the field signals. If they make an error it is theirs. You might believe that a runner went out of bounds but the official had his forward progress stopped. There may be something on the field that they have that you do not know or they have not signaled.

Going out of bounds or not is rarely the problem.

It's usually when there's a penalty and the R winds in error or forgets to wind in error (or at least in disagreement with the CO).

Yes, that is what I should have said.

Sometimes we make mistakes as the R. It happens. If the R winds, start the clock, but know where to reset it to when they catch their mistake.

The ECO is simply a "human remote control" for the clock. Do what the WH signals.

What do YOU, as R, do when the clock operator doesn't do as you signal him to do?

As clock guy, you work for him. Just do what he signals.

I will put time back on the clock, if BJ tells me ECO didn't stop it. I guess what I was really trying to prevent was the half or game ending with timing issues.

Don't get caught up and over-think this. Not implying you would but do NOT bring a friend, one of your kids, your wife, or anyone else up there that may be a distraction at any point in the game. That's timing issue 101.

Your sole purpose as clock operator is to key on the white hat's clock directives. It's not on your shoulders to be handling start/stoppage correctly and if there's a beef along the way, it's going to be with the WH and he will advise you for a correction, if need be.

Having been in that position a time or 30....I'd also suggest you get a handle on the mechanics of the game clock/timer in advance and not go in blind. We've all been thru the delays during the "please reset the game clock to XXX" more than we all care to remember.

Good luck.

Just a suggestion, but staying "in the game" can be very helpful and keeping a "backup clock" you keep syncronized with the official game clock can assist your focus, and also serve as a valuable protection against unanticipated problems or malfunctions with the primary game clock.

Make sure you know how to reset the game clock to XXX. That will help limit the delay.

Agree--
 

Do what the officials on the field signals. The error or NOT is theirs. That is a lot like a coach questioning your call on the filed...

I always tell the clock operator, let us make the mistake and let us fix the mistake.

Peace