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« Last post by ElvisLives on July 07, 2026, 05:40:45 PM »
I don’t have a checklist, but, as a long-time referee who knows the value of good clock operators, I have two things to offer:
1. BOTH GCO and PCO, ALWAYS - EVERY GAME - meet with the crew (Referee, B, and S, as appropriate) before the game for quick, but thorough, pre-game conference. Items: Operational status of equipment; how to communicate; verify R’s signals; halftime timing and clock starting protocol; 2-minute time out; 10-second subtraction signal; clock NOT to show 1/10s second; starting clock on free kicks;
Play Clock items: Consistency in correctly starting 40-second clock; 40 and 25 signals; reset and start automatically (without R’s winding signal) situations; free kicks; tries; first down following free kick.
2. Pay attention!
Be aware. As much as all officials should follow the rules as they are intended, some officials are only interested in getting the games over with as quickly as possible, and will want you to do things that are outside of the rules. You should always do what is asked of you by the R, but, try to do things as the rules and manuals dictate as much as you possibly can.
The time you are managing is not your time. It is the players’ time. They deserve every second to which they are entitled, by rule. Don’t steal their time.
Good luck!
Recent Posts
...and makes it far easier to have the sidelines covered without a massive fire drill....
....that leaves massive amount of non coverage for the much used in recent years "pooch kicks"....and trying to cover that on the run from the goal line to the 20-40 yard line will be very difficult....
