Electric Clock Operator Information

Electric Clock Operator Information The Electric Clock Operator’s (ECO’s) job has two parts:  To ensure that the electric clock is operated in accordance with instructions received from the on-field officials.  To simultaneously run a stopwatch so there is an accurate record of the time remaining in a period should the electric clock malfunction.

While the ECO will need to work cooperatively with the scoreboard operator, at NO TIME will the ECO operate the score board or provide information about or make any comments concerning actions of the on-field officials or the game in general to any individual(s) in the area near the electric clock controls.

Once notified that you will be an ECO, review these procedures several times during the week so that you are aware of ALL ECO procedures and clock operations.

Equipment Needed  Complete Official’s Uniform (Clean Uniform and Shoes Polished)  Stopwatch or Timing Device that counts down from 20:00 to 0:00 in minutes and seconds AND can be started and stopped AND has a readily visible time display

Game Day Events  Meet the other members of the crew at the designated time AND identified location  Travel to the game site with the crew  Dress appropriately (casual/ spot shirt with a collar, casual slacks, and shoes – clothing that projects a business-like approach to officiating – inappropriate attire includes such items as tee shirts, sweatshirts, shorts, jeans, and sandals)

Pre-Game Conference  Be ready to describe the procedures you will use as ECO to ensure the electric clock is operated accurately  Be ready to answer questions about procedures you will employ in specific game situations  Get GFOA Crew Assignment Cards from the Referee – for the public address announcer, and radio/TV announcers  ECOs must leave the crew’s pre-game meeting in time to have pre-game clock checks completed and the field clock countdown-to-scheduled-kick-off-time working not less than 30 minutes prior to scheduled kick-off time.

Pre-Game On-Field Duties  Accompany the on-field crew members as they enter the field and move to the 50 yard line  When instructed to do so, locate the Electric Clock controls and go to that location  If you are to be located in the Press Box, go there and locate the Score Board Operator (SBO) and Game Security – introduce yourself and indicate that you are the ECO.  If the SBO has not already done so, have the SBO set the clock to 5:00 Minutes  Simultaneously run the clock AND your stop watch down to 0:00 (Start and stop the clock several time so you can become familiar with the operation of the Electric Clock’s on-off control. If there is any discrepancy between the electric clock and your watch note the amount of it.)  Have the SBO set the electric clock to 30:00 minutes (This 30 minutes should be set to coincide with the official start of the game).  Set your stopwatch to 30:00 minutes  Start the clock and your stopwatch and let them run down to 0:00  Let the horn sound so the on-field officials can hear it – let it sound until at least one of them acknowledges that they have heard the horn  Have the SBO set the Electric Clock to 12:00  Set your stopwatch to 12:00  At some point, the Referee will look for you so he can identify your location – when you see him looking for you, wave your cap so he can see it – he will acknowledge your location.

During the game, you will start and stop the clock following the signals given by the on-field officials, even if you know they are wrong. If a timing error is made, it will be their fault and they will take responsibility. Your job is to start and stop the electric clock and your stopwatch as directed and to make sure the time shown on your stopwatch is accurate.

Opening Kick Off and Free Kicks  Wave your cap when the Referee looks up and points to you – let him know you are ready  Keep a ‘wide view of the field’ so you can see where the kick goes  Start the clock when the covering official gives the start-the-clock signal (It is acceptable to delay starting the clock for a second to make sure there is not a ‘dead ball foul’ that will prevent the clock from starting)  Stop the clock when you see the stop-the-clock signal or a touchdown signal

Scrimmage Downs  If the clock is to start on the ready-for-play, start the clock when the Referee signals to do so  If the Referee does not start the clock on the ready-for-play, start the clock when the ball is snapped (It is acceptable to delay starting the clock for a second to make sure there is not a ‘dead ball foul’ that will prevent the clock from starting)  Stop the clock when you see any of the following signals  Stop the clock  Incomplete pass  Touchdown  Successful field goal  Safety

(Be aware that the official covering the runner and/or ball may shielded from your view by players, coaches, and/or other sideline personnel. When that happens, look to the officials ‘away from the runner or ball’ – they will echo the signal given by the covering official.)

Extra Point  The Extra Point (Try for Point) is an un-timed down – the clock DOES NOT run

Un-Timed Down at the End of a Quarter  Tell the SBO to not reset the clock – leave 0:00 showing on the clock

End of the First and Third Quarters  Tell the SBO to let the horn sound for a bit (1 to 2 seconds), but to then shut the horn off (GHSA Mechanics Manuals specify that the horn MUST sound at the end of a quarter; however, it should not sound for an extended period of time)  Tell the SBO to leave the clock at 0:00 until you tell him to reset it to 12:00 (The clock is NOT to be reset until after the Referee raises the ball over his head – that is the official end of the quarter.)

End of the First Half & Halftime Intermission  After the Referee has raised the ball over his head, have the SBO set the clock to 20:00  Start the clock and your stopwatch when the referee signals to start the clock  If you are going to join the on-field crew for halftime, go directly to that location  Make sure your stopwatch is accurate – if asked, you are responsible for knowing the time remaining in the intermission  If you have joined the on-field crew, make sure you get back to the electric clock so if necessary you can turn the horn off when it sounds Mandatory Player Warm-Up Time at the End of Halftime Intermission  Have the SBO set the electric clock to 3:00 minutes  Start the clock and let it run down to 0:00  When it reaches 0:00, have the SBO set the clock to 12:00

End of the Fourth Quarter – End of the Game  Make sure the game is over – that the quarter will not be extended by an un-timed down  If there is to be an un-timed down, have the SBO leave the clock on 0:00 until the Referee raises the ball over his head to indicate the Quarter/Game is ended  When you are sure the Game has ended, move QUICKLY to meet the on-field officials at a previously agreed upon location on the field.

Over-Time Period  Tell the SBO to set the clock at 0:00 and leave it there (The electric clock is not operated during over-time periods.) You may then go onto the sidelines of the field and wait for the end of overtime. Then accompany the crew off the field.

Mercy Rule  If implemented, the Mercy Rule will be applied at the beginning of the Third or Fourth Quarter  Once the Mercy Rule has been implemented it will be applied for the remainder of the game  The clock will run continuously with the following exceptions:  Time Outs (Both Official’s and Team Time Outs)  Injury of a Player  Penalties  Scores – touchdown, field goal, safety  If the clock has been stopped for a T.I.P.S. component, the clock will be started as it normally would be started after a Time Out, Injury of a Player, Penalty, or Score  The on-field officials will continue to signal for the clock to be stopped and started as in a ‘regularly timed’ game; HOWEVER, unless the clock is to be stopped for a T.I.P.S. component you will ignore the signals. You will stop the clock as indicated below: Situation Signal to Act On Time Out  Team Referee will signal Time Out and point to the team taking the time out  Officials Referee will signal Time Out and point his hands toward his chest Injury of a Player Referee will signal Time Out and point his hands to his chest Penalties Covering Official’s Time Out signal when you see a Penalty Flag on the field Scores  Touchdown When the ‘Covering Official’ gives the signal  Field Goal When the ‘Covering Official’ signals that the kick is Good or No Good  Safety When the ‘Covering Official’ gives the signal

Electric Clock Malfunction  Continue to operate your stopwatch – it is now the official game time  Go to the field when directed to do so by the Referee  On the field you will be positioned on the field on the home team side, between the sideline and the numbers but away from the coaches  When asked by the Referee, you will inform the referee of the time remaining – you will NOT respond to requests for ‘time remaining information’ from coaches or other sideline personnel  The Referee shall be notified when there is 4:00 or less remaining in the quarter/quarter and an Official’s timeout will be taken at the first dead ball period – both teams will be informed of the time remaining  If the ball is dead (between scrimmage plays) when your stopwatch indicates 0:00, you will immediately inform the Referee – you WILL NOT use your whistle to signal the end of the period  If the ball is in play during a down or free kick when your stopwatch indicates 0:00, you will immediately inform the Referee at the conclusion of the play– you WILL NOT use your whistle to signal the end of the period

08-25-2010