Sideline Officials

Timing

The Timekeeper is responsible for making sure that: 

  • The Match Clock stops and starts in line with the Referee’s instructions 
  • The Shot Clock is stopped and started as required. 

The Match Clock starts: 

  • When the ball is kicked at the beginning of the half 
  • When the Referee signals or states “Time On” 
  • When play is about to restart and the Referee has forgotten to signal or state “Time On”. 

The Match Clock stops: 

  • When the Referee states and/or signals “Time Off” 
  • When the Referee has not stated “Time Off” but the Laws of the game dictate that is should have stopped 
  • When the Referee blows the whistle for the end of the half (or period of extra time). 

The Timekeeper should be located in a quiet space with a good view of the field of play, an unobstructed view of the Referee and have a monitor showing live match footage beside them.  

The Timekeeper must have had adequate training on the timing system being used. 

In the event that the clock display in the stadium fails: 

  • If the timing solution continues to function for the Timekeeper then it should continue to be used 
  • If the timing solution is no longer available, then the Timekeeper should have a stopwatch which can be used to record the time. Pen and paper to record critical events should also be available to help the Timekeeper in these circumstances. 
  • The Timekeeper should verbally inform the Referee of critical times of the match and be available to respond to queries from the Referee about the time: 
    • Two minutes to go until the end of the half 
    • “Time is yours” signal that the end of the half has been reached. 
    • 15 second marker for the Shot Clock 
    • Five second marker for the Shot Clock 
    • Zero second marker for the Shot Clock. 

Timing events for matches 

 Match event

 Fifteens

 Sevens
 Match half  40 minutes  7 minutes
 Half-time

 5-15 minutes

(competition dependent)

  2 minutes
 Extra time  2 x 10 minutes  5 minutes Golden Point
 Yellow card  10 minutes  2 minutes
 Red card  20 minutes where applicable  -

Shot Clock times for matches 

 Shot Clock

 Fifteens

 Sevens
 Penalty  60 seconds  30 seconds
 Restart after penalty  -  30 seconds
 Conversion

90 seconds / 60 seconds*

30 seconds / 45 seconds*
 Restart after conversion  - 30 seconds / 45 seconds*

*Currently being assessed as part of a law trial

Timing System 

In addition to the time, the Timekeeper may be provided with a timing system that generates graphics for a big screen. In these instances, the Timekeeper may be required to input the following information: 

  • The score (including a try counter) 
  • Yellow and red cards. 

This should not impact negatively on ensuring that the time is correct, the time is always the Timekeeper’s primary responsibility. 

The following events are timed during a match and the table below indicates if they use match time (stops and starts with the Match Clock) or real time (continues to run irrespective of the Match Clock):

 Event

 Match time

 Real time
Match Clock X  
Shot Clock X  
Yellow card X  
Red card replacement    X*   
HIA   X
Blood   X
HIA and Blood   X

*Currently being assessed as part of a law trial

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