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Finish-Line Timer

How to Time the Finish Line

You stand just past the line and capture how each race ends — either on a stopwatch or as a place judge calling the order of finish. The whole trick is one cue: start on the gun's smoke or flash, stop on the torso. The head timer backs you up on every heat.

Level
A little practice
Time
2-3 hours per meet session
Start on
Gun smoke/flash (not sound)
Stop on
Runner's torso crossing line
Watches per lane
Often 2-3, middle time used
Your spot
Just past the finish line

Quick start

  1. 1

    Get your assignment

    The head timer tells you which lane to watch, or that you're a place judge calling the order of finish instead of timing.

  2. 2

    Set your eyes on the start

    For timing, watch the starter's pistol — you'll start on the smoke or flash, because sound travels too slowly down the track to be accurate.

  3. 3

    Start clean

    The instant you see the gun fire, start your stopwatch. Don't wait for the bang.

  4. 4

    Stop on the torso

    Stop the watch when the runner's torso reaches the line — not the head, a hand, or a lead foot.

  5. 5

    Report and reset

    Hand your time or finish order to the head timer or recorder, then clear your watch for the next heat.

Watch first

Watch: hand timing a track race — start on the gun, stop on the torsoShows the start-on-flash, stop-on-torso timing technique.

The finish line is the most exciting spot at the meet, and your part is simpler than it looks. You're doing one of two things: timing a single lane on a stopwatch, or working as a place judge (a "picker") who just calls which athlete finished first, second, third, and so on. Either way you watch one race, capture one piece of information, and hand it off. You're not calculating results or settling disputes — that's the head timer's job.

  1. 1

    Take your position

    Stand just past the finish line on your assigned lane, with a clear, square view of the line — never at an angle.

  2. 2

    Ready your watch

    Reset to zero, thumb on the button, eyes on the starter.

  3. 3

    Start on the flash

    Begin timing the moment you see smoke or flash from the gun, before you hear it.

  4. 4

    Track your runner

    Follow your assigned lane's athlete down the track so you don't lose them in a tight finish.

  5. 5

    Stop on the torso

    Click the watch when the runner's torso crosses the plane of the line.

  6. 6

    Call it in

    Read your time (or finish order) to the recorder, confirm it, and reset for the next heat.

Timer's cue
Start on gun smoke/flash
Stop point
Torso crosses the line
Place judge
Calls order of finish by hip number
Backup
Multiple watches per lane; middle time is used
Hand off to
Head timer / recorder
  • Stopwatch reset and returned to the head timer
  • Your last heat's time or finish order confirmed with the recorder
  • No times left unreported — speak up on any you missed
  • Hip numbers double-checked on any close finishes
  • Position handed off cleanly if someone relieves you

More resources

NFHS Track & Field (official rules and resources)

U.S. high school governing body — official rules and timing guidance.

Sources: NFHS Track and Field Rules; USATF Officials resources — track events