Game Clock Operator

The Game Clock Operator (“GCO”) will properly operate and manage the game clock at the direction of the game officials in order to maintain the official time of the game. The GCO will sit in the Press Box for the entirety of the game and pay close attention to the start and end of each play and the game officials’ signals. The GCO must be aware of the events of the game, have a strong understanding of the rules of the game and be able to work under high pressure. 

 

Timeline

3:00 before kickoff

• Arrive at the stadium and clock in.
• Go to the press box for pregame equipment test. 
• Run the clock and start/stop various times, confirm the clocks in the stadium are synchronized and practice resetting the clock using multiple values at different increments of time (ex.12:45, 9:09, 0:35, 0:02). When testing is completed, set the clock to 15:00 in preparation for the two-hour clock check.
• Check phone connections between the Timing Booth and Officiating Supervisor/Observer, Instant Replay, Field Level Bench Area, and Officials Locker Room. 
• Review “Game Clock Operator Card Guidelines” (see below)

 

2:30 before kickoff

• Go the officials locker room from the clock booth to conduct a face-to-face meeting with the Side Judge.
• After meeting with officials, go back to the clock booth to test the clocks with the BJ/SJ.
• Be prepared to answer all questions by the Side Judge. Know the rules that govern the timing of the game and be confident. Listed below are some of the topics that may be discussed.
• Correct time of day.
• Confirm which clock is the official stadium clock and that it's always on.
• Check kick off time and how many minutes you will put on for the countdown clock.
• Where the Game Clock Operator is located the press box area.
• How to best communicate with you from the field.
• Being able to hear the Referee announcements during the game.
• What happens in the event of difficulty in resetting game clock.
• Any problems that may have occurred with the clock that you know of this season or in past.
• Procedure for clock malfunction. (Do not attempt to fix the clock during live action. Turn clocks off while the clock is being repaired.) 
• LJ or SJ are back-up signals for starting the clock if R forgets or gets distracted; if you know clock is supposed to start but do not get a signal from the R look to SJ.
• Any official can signal to stop clock so be aware; signals such as TD, safety, or incomplete all stop clock.
• What type of pace will R maintain during the game? 
• If any officials are hard to see at this stadium given their location.
• Always follow on-field official’s signals, but you should stop the clock when you have positive knowledge that the clock should stop.
• Halftime: Set the clock to 13:00, start halftime clock when R drops arms from Iron Cross signal.
• OT: timing rules will be the same as the 4Q (in the regular season). Set Clock to 10:00 minutes regular season and 15:00 for post season.
• Be aware at the end of each half for potential delay of game or team TO. If game clock and play clock are close such as :42 on game clock and :40 on play clock, then clock won’t go beyond :02 because team will either call a TO or take a delay of game penalty

2:00 before kickoff

• BJ/SJ will test equipment from the field. BJ/SJ will call the clock booth from the sideline phone.
• Inform the Back Judge of your location in the stadium. Make special note if there are any audio or visual challenges based on your placement.

90-minute countdown 

• 90 minutes before kickoff, set the clock to 90- minutes and start it so that it will expire at kickoff. 
• Do not touch the clock until it hits ZERO. This is not the time to practice, but mentally prepare. This countdown is used for pregame and TV coordination. Once the clock hits ZERO, set the clock to 15:00.

 

During the game

• Starting Clock on KO: clock starts when ball touched legally in field of play or carried out of the end zone; wait for covering officials to wind
  1. If kick is fair caught no time runs off clock
  2. If Team A recovers no time runs off clock
  3. If kick caught or recovered by receiving team and player immediately goes to the ground or kick recovered by the receiving team on ground, then run at least 1 second or wait/hold until the officials make an announcement with the correct game time. 
  4. When in doubt about clock status on onside kicks, do not start the clock and wait for the Referee to announce a clock reset time.
• Clock does not stop on QB sacks.
• Run out of bounds outside 2Q/2:00 and 4Q/5:00, the clock stops on covering officials signal and starts on Referee wind. Run out of bounds inside 2Q/2:00 and 4Q/5:00, the clock stops on covering officials signal and starts on the snap. SJ may also be winding if you do not see the Referee signal.
• Two Minute Warning: stop clock at 2:00 if we are between downs; stop when play ends if this occurs during live action.
• Clock will always start on R’s signal for fumbles and backward passes even inside two and five minutes. 
• When there is a penalty inside of 2Q/2:00 or 4Q/5:00, the clock will start on the snap unless includes a 10 second runoff.
• 10 Second Runoff:
  1. R will announce the 10 second runoff; set the clock to the time at the end of the play and then reset it to the runoff time.
  2. Clock will start on referee’s signal; if 10 second runoff is declined, or a team takes a timeout to avoid the runoff, then clock starts on the snap.
  3. Defensive foul inside last 45 seconds of either half could allow clock to run out.
• FG: maximum amount of time to run off is 5 seconds on a successful FG or unsuccessful attempt that does not land in the field of play. Stop the clock when the ball becomes dead (e.g., hits the net, the ground (untouched), or another object out of bounds such as the crossbar or upright).
• Record time on the clock when the clock status is stopped and will remain stopped until the snap; dead ball fouls at the snap, reset the clock if time runs off…this should not require an announcement. 
• Keep “Notes” about any “Special Situations” that you may want to talk about later. 

 

Tips and Special Situations

Pre-snap

• Be aware of every official on the field and move your eyes around in a circular motion to look at each official repeatedly before the snap.
• Ask the Play Clock Operator to count down to potential delay of game, 5-4-3-2-1. This helps alert you to the potential of a clock stoppage. Teams could snap the ball and fool you into thinking the play is live even when the BJ has thrown the flag.

Post-snap

• Once the ball is snapped, give a quick glance to the DJ and LJ, and make sure a flag has not been thrown that is either a dead ball (stop clock immediately, officials will be signaling) or live ball (stop clock at the end of the play).
• Long Pass/Long Run: While the ball is in the air or the runner is beyond the LOS, glance back to the LOS and make sure that a flag has not been thrown. This will make you aware of a clock stoppage when the result of the play keeps the clock running.
• Per Rule 4 Section 4 of the rulebook “The game clock operator shall stop the game clock upon a signal by any official or upon the operator’s own positive knowledge.” You shouldn't guess when the clock should stop. It should be based on “positive knowledge.” Such as when a pass clearly hits the ground or when a runner crosses the sideline/goal line, you should stop the clock instead of waiting for a signal. If you have any doubt, wait for the signal. Similarly, the Game Clock should be started appropriately as well. There should never be a delay or a “2 count” before starting the Game Clock after the ball is snapped.
• Timeouts: Be aware of game situations and who should logically be calling a TO. The nearest official and coach will need to be located immediately at the end of the play. Teamwork is essential. Please discuss with the Coach-to-Player Cutoff and Play Clock Operator. For example, the Game Clock Operator will be following the play to its conclusion near Team A sideline. Coach-to-Player Cutoff or Play Clock Operator will look at Team B’s sideline. Now both sidelines are covered. If at the end of a play and the ball is in the middle of the field, the same mechanic can apply. Discuss before the play, who is watching each sideline?  

Scoring Plays

• On TD scoring plays, the clock stops. 
• For example, Team A is on offense and passes the ball near the sideline or end line and the call is not immediately obvious and two or more officials are discussing…stop the clock. The logical outcome will either be a Touchdown or Incomplete Pass. Both scenarios stop the clock. This is an example of where we can help the crew and save seconds on the clock.

Post-Game Duties

• Clock out when you leave the stadium
• Submit officiating in GMS by 12:00 pm ET on the day after your game.

 

Contingency Plan 

In the case of a major issue or emergency with the Game Clock, Play Clock, or C2P Operators on gameday at the stadium please see the following contingency plan:

• Contact the league office immediately to notify them of the issue.
• If there is an issue with the C2P Operator, the Play Clock Operator will take over both roles.
• If there is an issue with the Play Clock Operator, the C2P Operator will take over both roles.
• If there is an issue with the Game Clock Operator, the C2P Operator will take over both roles.

This contingency plan is to be used in the worst-case scenario. All clock crew members should review the position mechanics that they might cover in the case of an emergency.

Salary / Pay Range

This job posting contains a pay range, which represents the range of salaries or hourly rates that the NFL believes, in good faith, at the time of this posting that it might be willing to pay for the posted job in the location(s) specified. The NFL expects to hire for this position near the middle of the range. Only in truly rare and exceptional circumstances, where an external candidate has experience, credentials or expertise that far exceed those required or expected for the position, would the NFL consider paying a salary or rate near the higher end of the range.