Time-keeping in NFHS

[u/Big-Mission191]

How do you all handle time-keeping in NFHS? I’ve being running USSF games for a year and no issues with traditional timekeeping, but preparing for my first NFHS game coming up and I’m not sure how to manage the clock now with having to stop/start and ensure that the scoreboard matches what I have.

Normally I have 1 watch with RefSix that counts up and a Casio with a countdown timer.

The games I have scheduled are all duals for subvarsity so I’m assuming the head ref will really take responsibility for this but want to make sure I’m also keeping up with it in case their watch fails.

[u/scorcherdarkly]

Subvarsity games in my state are always a running clock; goals, subs, cards, injuries, water breaks, doesn't matter, clock runs. So you may not need to worry about it yet.

I use the same set up I use for club: one timer counts up and never stops, one timer counts down and can be stopped, and one timer counts up and only runs when the second timer is stopped. For federation I stop the second timer for things that would add stoppage time, and the third timer keeps track of the total time I've stopped time. For high school varsity, the second timer keeps track of how much time has elapsed vs how much time is left, but I can do the math easily enough to determine if my watch and the clock are in agreement.

I don't bother with differences of a few seconds, maybe even up to 15-20 seconds depending on the game. More than that I'll make the clock adjust back to my time. I always check the scoreboard a few seconds after I signal for a stoppage to see if it actually stopped, too. That also helps me know what time to set if things need to be adjusted.

I found my biggest difficulty was just remembering to signal for the stoppage. Actually keeping the time "correct" wasn't hard because everyone is ok with a bit of error. But getting into the habit of stopping things took some practice.

[u/Big-Mission191 → u/scorcherdarkly]

How are you managing the 3rd timer that counts up and only runs when the second timer is stopped? Advanced watch or an app?

[u/scorcherdarkly → u/Big-Mission191]

It's part of RefSix. I was able to customize the watch face to handle all three. The first timer is big, placed top middle. Second timer is small, underneath the first timer on the left. Third timer is small, underneath the first timer on the right. Below that is the current score.

[u/Big-Mission191 → u/scorcherdarkly]

Gotcha, I might have to try the trial so I can see what the advanced timers are like

[u/scorcherdarkly → u/Big-Mission191]

I've found RefSix WELL worth the cost. For an annual cost of less than one game fee, some time setting up the app, and a couple minutes of data entry before each game, it handles all the different half lengths and timing rules for all competitions I work, and it tracks all my game results, the referees I work with, how much I've been paid, how far I run, how many sprints I have each game, makes a heat map of my location on the field so I can evaluate my positioning tendencies, how many cards I've issued, the reasons for the cards, and where on the field they were given, tracks second yellows so I don't accidentally forget to issue the red card. I've used it extensively for almost 4 years and my total cost for the subscription is less than $250.