Timer's Briefing (PDF here)

Before the briefing, find out: 

• Where is the strobe located, and how many buttons per lane (usually one).  
• Do timers need to move to opposite end of the pool for any events?  Are there buttons at that end?  Where is the strobe for these starts?
• Are swimmers starting any events from opposite end of the pool?  Where is the strobe for these starts?
• Where are the restrooms timers can use?
• Any special instructions from the MR?

On behalf of [host team], thank you for volunteering your time and effort to support our athletes.

• You have a truly important job – you are guaranteeing that each swimmer will receive an accurate time.
• I/We will be your starter(s) today.
• Any new timers? Welcome to the pool deck!  Please feel free to ask any questions.
• There will be X timers per lane. One of you will have a clipboard and a watch and the other will have a watch and the plunger. (adjust as appropriate for 2 plungers)

Before the start:

• Clipboard timer, please verify that the correct swimmer/relay is present and in the correct lane, heat, and event by asking their name.
• Except for backstroke, remind previous heat to stay in the water for overhead starts.
• If you know your swimmer is not there – please place your clipboard stationary on the starting block so we know not to wait.
• If your swimmer is there but has an issue with their suit, goggles, cap or whatever, please give us a wave so we know the swimmer is there but not ready.

At the start:

• Make sure you can see the strobe, which is located [strobe location]; start the watch the moment that the strobe flashes.
• If you happen to miss the strobe, start the watch on the sound.
• If you have no swimmer in your lane, start your watch anyway in case back-up is needed.
• The right button on your watch is start and stop; the left button is the reset.  If your watch has a middle button, don’t touch it!

Immediately after the start:

• Please check your watch to make sure it is working correctly. 
• If you miss the start or if the watch malfunctions, raise your watch in the air and shout for the backup timer.  The backup timer will swap watches with you or, if the swimmers are coming into the finish, the backup timer should record the finish.
• Keep track of which race is being swum and the distance completed by your swimmer.
• Clipboard, timer, use this time to verify the swimmer in the next heat.
• If a swimmer misses their heat, send the swimmer to the Referee.

At the finish:

• Come forward to the edge of the pool, look directly down the wall.
• Stop the watch when any part of your swimmer touches any part of the wall. If you are responsible for the plunger, press it at the same time that you stop your watch.  You only need to hit the plunger at the finish.  Plungers are the first level of back up for the touch pad, so they are critical.

After the Finish:

• Please step back so you don’t prevent the next swimmer from reaching the block.
•  Clipboard timer, record your watch time and your partner’s watch time on the sheet in the same order for each heat.
  • If you didn't get a good watch time, do not copy your partner's time or the scoreboard time. Just write NT
  • If your swimmer did not swim, write NS for “no show.”

Other things:

• Keep your cell phones on silent and in your pocket. It is a violation of the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy to have any recording device, including cell phone cameras, behind the blocks.
• If you need to use the restroom, the restrooms are located ___.  Just ask a backup timer to step in for you while you’re off deck.  Please do NOT leave your post until a backup timer is taking your place.
• If you are on a rotation schedule with other parents from your team, please do not leave until your replacement arrives.

The session starts at ___, so please be in position behind your lane and ready to go at ____. 

Again, thank you for supporting our athletes today!