Timers use a stopwatch to record the duration of a swimmer’s race. Each lane will have two timers – one from each team. The home team timer records the times on the designated sheet of paper, and then the times are averaged. There is also a backup timer in case a timer’s watch fails to record the time.

Important because: Times are used to determine the races finishes, qualify for the County Meet and help swimmers track their improvement – a tenth of a second can make a difference!
Timeframe: First half (Events 1-36) and Second half (Events 37-82)
Volunteers per meet: 28
Best for: People who like a first-row view of the races -- and have good reaction time

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE START

• Stand where you can see the starter and the light.
• When swimmers are on the blocks, be ready.
• Check to see your stopwatch is at zero.
• Use your index finger to press start when you see the light (not the beep).
• **If you miss the start, put your hand up in the air and wave for the backup timer. They will come over and time that race for you. You have the entire race to call for a backup timer. They start when everyone starts.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE FINISH

• Stand where you can see the wall in the water. Stand at the edge of the pool – lean over if you need to. Getting accurate times is VERY important – tenths of a second make a difference. If coaches or other are in the way, ask them to give you space.
• Make sure your watch is still recording the time and your finger is ready to press ‘stop’.
• When the swimmer touches the wall stop the watch. Any part of the body that touches the wall (e.g. head in backstroke) stop the watch.
• Record the time. Doublecheck you are recording times for the correct swimmer on the paper.
• Confirm with the swimmer their name: “what is your name?”

TIPS

• Get to know your fellow lane timer. They are your partner for the next few hours. If one of you has more experience being a timer, then it might make sense for that person to record times.
• Practice starting and stopping and resetting the stopwatch. Get comfortable with it and know how it works.
• Use your finger – not your thumb – to press the button. Your index finger is faster.
• If you wear reading glasses – you might need them, especially for the second half of the meet.
• Make sure you understand how to record times on the designated paper.
• Have an extra pen on hand.
• Know who the backup timer and head timer are so that you can flag them down if you need them.
• Keep cellphone on silent. Do not use for timing.
• Dive over starts – this is for older swimmers. The starter will instruct them to stay in the water when they finish racing. Then, the next race begins with that swimmer “diving over” the swimmer in the water.
• Pay attention to the times you and your partner are recording – they should be within .30 seconds of each other. If they aren’t, flag down the head time and see what might be going wrong.
• If there are issues where the swimmers in the lanes are not lining up with what is written, bring it to the attention of the head timer.
• Officials (stroke and turn judges) will come to you during the race to write down DQ (Disqualifications) with a small note on the details of the error. You should still write down the time you recorded for that swimmer even if they have a DQ.