Last updated on March 27th, 2023 at 04:52 pm
At a swim meet and need timers? Here are eight ways you, or someone else, can ask for help. For best results, begin asking early in the warm-up period. Wondering what to say to those you ask? See, “Got Timers? Motivate People to Time at Swim Meets.”
Contents for 8 Ways to Ask for Swim Meet Timers
8 Ways to Ask for Swim Meet Timers
When asking for timers, give both the time and place to report. Consider using a manned Volunteer Table as the reporting place. It is also very helpful to describe the reporting place in “pool terms.” “Pool terms” means in relation to something easy to see within the venue, such as: Under the flag, by the diving boards, in the lobby by the vending machines, etc. Try to avoid using terms such as “the east end” or “southwest corner” unless they are clearly marked as such.
Loudspeaker Announcements
Ask the announcer to make several announcements during the meet warm-ups asking for timers. No announcer? See if you, or someone else, can get a mic. If not, use the starter’s microphone and point the loud-speaker at the spectators.
Scoreboard Message and/or Video
If a scoreboard capable of showing messages is available, use it to ask for timers. If the scoreboard can play video, show short video clips of swimmers asking for timers. (Be sure to get parent permission before using underage swimmers.)
- Pre-meet prep: Preparing videos might be a fun project for athlete team captains, or others, to do with teammates.
Audio clips
Play audio clips of swimmers asking for timers over a loudspeaker. Or, if it doesn’t interfere with their warm-up, a swimmer or two could make a live announcement on the loudspeaker. (Be sure to get parent permission before using underage swimmers.)
- Pre-meet prep: Preparing audio clips might be a fun project for athlete team captains, or others, to do with teammates.
Canvas the Stands
Go into the stands and ask spectators to time. Bring a clipboard with a list of lanes and a pen so people can sign-up. Smile, be upbeat and keep the focus on the swimmers, the benefits of timing, and sharing ideas to overcome obstacles when inviting spectators to time.
Get Others To Ask Too
If the meet has a manned volunteer table in an area where spectators pass by, those at the table can invite spectators to work as timers.
Ask the Host Team Coach(es) to Ask Their Parents to Time
The host team is ultimately responsible to ensure the meet goes well, including enough help. If pleas for timers from the meet director or others go unheeded, sometimes a request from a coach gets action. One coach went to the team tent and said, “I’d really like to coach your kids today but if we don’t get timers, I’ll have to do that instead.” Parent spectators opted to become timers and the coach, coached.
Ask Timers: Is there someone here who could time with you?
When timers check-in, politely explain that there aren’t enough timers to cover all the lanes. Then, ask if they know someone who could time. If they do, ask him or her to go invite that person to time.
Don’t start the swim meet
Desperate times sometimes call for desperate measures. Timers are not optional. It is not fair to the swimmers to have them compete without an adequate back-up timing system in place. This usually includes one to three timers per lane. See how one creative meet referee encouraged parents to step up and time!
Now read Ways to Recruit Timers BEFORE a Swim Meet and Preparing an Online Sign-up to help prepare for the next meet! Shifting at least some of the timer recruiting to before the meet can lead to less stress for you and more help overall.
Preparing for a swim meet? Check out The Ultimate Swim Meet To-Do List. Then, get a bird’s eye view of Who does What at Swim Meets. Both include easy-to-follow links to related information. Doing a smaller, simpler meet? Host a High School or Developmental Swim Meet will help.
Need more help? See 20+ Ways to Get Swim Meet Timers and Officials: 20+ Ways to Get them for Swim Meets.
Also, discover a few things you can do to Increase Safety at Swim Meets. Find ideas to implement before your meet as well as last-minute quick and easy tips!