Horn at end of period

[LaxRef]

Since we've been talking about the horn lately, I have a question:

In my current state, there seems to be the prevalent idea that you shouldn't have the timer blow the horn at the end of the period. The claim is that the timer will often screw it up and sound the horn at 1 instead of 0, or they'll wait until long after 0 to sound it. They claim allowing the timer to sound the horn creates too many problems, and instead you should just listen for them to say "0" and then blow the whistle.

This doesn't make any sense to me. Personally, I think you explain the procedure to the timer and hope they can execute it properly. I've only seen a goal within a second of the horn a handful of times, and the chances that the timer will screw it up when it matters seems incredibly small. What do you do where you work?

Also, sometimes older officials tell the timer to come onto the field and stand by them at the end of the period. I think this is a horrible idea; if the timer gets hurt, you'll be liable. If you want to tell them to move down the sideline and stand in the coaches' area, that's fine, but don't make them come on the field.

[BTlaxripper]

Yeah, in my league the horn on the scoreborad (the one you're talking about) isn't sounded at the end of the period. The refs just blow the whistle, AND the timer is on the field.

[eme]

LaxRef states: "In my current state, there seems to be the prevalent idea that you shouldn't have the timer blow the horn at the end of the period."

I assume by state you mean location and not condition....

If there is an automatice horn on the visible scoreboard clock...no problem.
In most of our hs games...timer hits the hand-held horn. You train the timer before the game starts. Timer must never come on the field for liability reasons. Come to corner of box nearest the near-side official. Count out loud and clear the last ten seconds and then hit horn instead of saying "Zero." Not "Zero" and then horn. The zero mark and the horn should occur simultaeously, even if simultaneous fouls do not. Even if timer falls comatose at "Three" the near-side official will pick up the count and carry on in his head.

[LaxRef]

LaxRef states: "In my current state, there seems to be the prevalent idea that you shouldn't have the timer blow the horn at the end of the period."

I assume by state you mean location and not condition....

Where I am now.

If there is an automatice horn on the visible scoreboard clock...no problem.
In most of our hs games...timer hits the hand-held horn. You train the timer before the game starts. Timer must never come on the field for liability reasons. Come to corner of box nearest the near-side official. Count out loud and clear the last ten seconds and then hit horn instead of saying "Zero." Not "Zero" and then horn. The zero mark and the horn should occur simultaeously, even if simultaneous fouls do not. Even if timer falls comatose at "Three" the near-side official will pick up the count and carry on in his head.

"Aaaaaarrgh! Stupid timer! Can't do anything right! Wooooogaaa wooogaaaa! Bluh Bluh Bluh Bluh! Dibba dabba! Fllllpppth!"

Or maybe you didn't mean that sort of carrying on? :chuckle:

[laxref39]

Where I am now.



"Aaaaaarrgh! Stupid timer! Can't do anything right! Wooooogaaa wooogaaaa! Bluh Bluh Bluh Bluh! Dibba dabba! Fllllpppth!"

Or maybe you didn't mean that sort of carrying on? :chuckle:
Both the NCAA and NFHS are specific in reference to "no accurate visible game clock with an automatic horn,"
NFHS rule 2-8 art.1 NCAA rule 2-11 a. "the timekeeper shall notify the nearest official 20 seconds before the end of all periods and sound the air horn at the end of each period"
Easy mechanic, just discuss it with the table before the game!

[LaxRef]

Both the NCAA and NFHS are specific in reference to "no accurate visible game clock with an automatic horn,"
NFHS rule 2-8 art.1 NCAA rule 2-11 a. "the timekeeper shall notify the nearest official 20 seconds before the end of all periods and sound the air horn at the end of each period"
Easy mechanic, just discuss it with the table before the game!

That would have been a good thing to point out. I guess I really need to start studying the rulebook more!

[laxref39]

You have alot on your plate, I understand! That's why we have partners and meetings and forums to confer!

[shrekjr]

The field closest to me that is played on has an optional automatic horn. The problem is the horn does "automatically" start blowing at least one long second after the clock counts down to 0:00. For that reason, the automatic horn is turned off. I agree you don't see this as a problem often, but we did have it in back to back games last week where there was a shot taken as time ran out that did enter the goal. We gave credit on one and not the other. Had we been using the horn, both shots would have been good even though the time had run out.

[LaxRef]

The field closest to me that is played on has an optional automatic horn. The problem is the horn does "automatically" start blowing at least one long second after the clock counts down to 0:00. For that reason, the automatic horn is turned off. I agree you don't see this as a problem often, but we did have it in back to back games last week where there was a shot taken as time ran out that did enter the goal. We gave credit on one and not the other. Had we been using the horn, both shots would have been good even though the time had run out.

Why? The period is over when the horn starts blowing, not when it stops. Otherwise every time the home team in a basketball team was down by 3 or fewer, the final horn would last until they scored!

[Shorelax]

[QUOTE=LaxRef]
This doesn't make any sense to me. Personally, I think you explain the procedure to the timer and hope they can execute it properly. I've only seen a goal within a second of the horn a handful of times, and the chances that the timer will screw it up when it matters seems incredibly small. What do you do where you work?

{QUOTE]

I had a HS game this afternoon. We explained the mechanic to the timekeeper. Most of the time the timekeeper is familiar with the mechanic. "Please sound the horn on zero not one"...etc. I have not had a problem.

[shrekjr]

Why? The period is over when the horn starts blowing, not when it stops. Otherwise every time the home team in a basketball team was down by 3 or fewer, the final horn would last until they scored!
I think you misunderstood what I meant. One of the goals went in that split second between the time the clock showed 0:00 and the horn would have begun to sound. That's the one we disallowed.

[LaxRef]

I think you misunderstood what I meant. One of the goals went in that split second between the time the clock showed 0:00 and the horn would have begun to sound. That's the one we disallowed.

Ahhh. I don't think I'd have a problem saying "The period ends when the horn sounds, since the clock is obviously counting down some tenths that we can't see on the scoreboard." That is, it might say 0:00 but really mean 0:00.7. But you can do it either way, as long as everyone knows in advance.

[shrekjr]

This clock shows the 10ths of seconds once the time is under one minute. That is nice in situations like last week when a goal was scored and the other coach started yelling, "The quarter is over" before he looked up and saw 0:00.2 still on the stopped clock. That's when you need to buy your clock operator a drink after the game!

[LaxRef]

That's when you need to buy your clock operator a drink after the game!

Only if you want to get arrested for serving alcohol to a minor, at least around here! :chuckle: