FOR MONTGOMERY AND HOWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS GAMES
Use of stadium clock as the official time for Varsity and Junior Varsity soccer games is not mandatory but is highly recommended.
The stadium clock will only be used if it is recording the official game time. When the stadium clock is official, the back-up time will be maintained by the referees on the field. The stadium horn is to be used when the clock reaches zero. If the stadium horn malfunctions, the referee must immediately blow the whistle to end the half.
The stadium clock operator shall be accessible to the official time kept by the referees throughout the match. The home school Athletic Director or soccer coach should designate an individual (time keeper) who is responsible for operating the stadium clock throughout the game, and this individual must meet with the officials before the commencement of the game. This individual can be an adult or student who has been trained to operate the equipment.
If the stadium clock cannot be properly maintained during the game – mechanical or electronic difficulties or volunteer timekeeper is unavailable – the stadium clock should be turned off. The referees and time keeper must meet before the commencement of the Varsity and JV game:
- To review procedures when the clock is started and stopped during the game,
- To review referee signals as to when the clock is to be started and stopped,
- To review procedures if stadium clock needs to be adjusted.
The NFHS rules state: “start the timing device when the ball is put into play and stop the device when signaled to do so by the referee for: an injury, for a penalty kick, for a caution (yellow card), for a disqualification (red card), following the scoring of a goal, and when an official orders the clock to be stopped”. The referee(s) are responsible for using the proper signals to start and stop the stadium clock, and to monitor throughout the game that the stadium clock and official’s timing device are in close proximity. If the stadium clock differs from the referee’s time by more than one minute during the game, the referee should require the time keeper to adjust the clock during a dead ball situation.
Either head coach may notify the referee(s) if they believe the stadium clock is not properly maintained, or if the referee(s) have forgotten to properly stop or restart the clock. The referee shall make final determination of time to be on the clock.
