SCORING & TIMING
Before the season begins, each team will usually put together a roster for the players to organise the scorer or timer for match days throughout the season. This means that parents, relatives, or friends will often end up with one or two games at which they have to either score or time. If your team is providing the scorer, then the opposition team will provide the timer, and vice versa.
The team that is listed first on the scorecard provides a person who is the scorer for the game, and the second team listed provides the person who is the timer. The scorer and timer should ideally be 18 or older, be the same person throughout the game, and not a player on the team. It's important that both the scorer and the timer stand together at the centre of the sideline.
SCORING
BEFORE THE GAME
Scorecards get individually printed each week by FNA and need to be picked up by the scoring team prior to each game. The pick up point is just outside the office window near court 16, and they get put out about an hour before each game starts.
During finals, the umpires allocated to your game will bring the scorecard, and return it to the office.
It is the scorers responsibility to fill in the information on top of the scorecard.
Cross out any names of players who are not present for the game
Write names of any substitute/fill in players in the designated space, along with their normal playing grade
DURING THE GAME
The scorer is in charge of marking goals and centre passes during the game. At the end of each quarter and at the end of the game, the scorer should note the cumulative score of each team in the boxes at the bottom of the scorecard. Please note this is a cumulative score, meaning the number in Q4 and the final score should be the same!
The scorer must also keep track of which players are on and off the court during each quarter. FNA prefer you write the position each player is playing in the designated space for each quarter, though simply checking the box of the players on court is acceptable.
AFTER THE GAME
At the end of the game, it's important to make sure that both of the umpires, as well as both team captains, sign the scorecard. The umpires' names should also be printed legibly. Then the winning team should take the scorecard and place it in one of the scorecard boxes by the office.
TIMING
Each team is provided with a timer and batteries in the manager's bag. You will need your timer both during the regular season and at finals (if your team qualifies).
BEFORE THE GAME
Set the timer to 15 minutes (or 10 minutes for a Set or GO! tier game) before the game to prepare for the start of play. Begin the timer on the umpire’s whistle to start the game.
DURING THE GAME
Keep an eye on the time. When there are 10 seconds left during play, follow the umpire with the timer until it runs down. It's important to let the umpire hear the timer beep, and not just to tell them that time is up. Be within hearing range!
You will need to use the timer to keep track of quarter breaks. These are 2 minutes after the first quarter, 4 minutes at half time, and 2 minutes at three-quarter time. When there are 30 seconds left during the breaks, it's time to inform the umpires so that they can call the teams on to begin play once time is up.
On occasion, the umpire will ask you to hold time during play. This might be for injury or illness, if the game ball has rolled a long way off. Keep an ear out for when the umpire is ready to restart time. Time is held and restarted on most timers by pressing the main 'Start/Stop' button.
Sometimes the umpire will stop play but not stop time. Keep watch for if they indicate to you or use the 'time' hand signal, as this will mean that they want you to hold time. Please bear in mind that less experienced umpires may not use this signal yet, so play it by ear!
AFTER THE GAME
At the end of the game, remember to remove the batteries from the timer to ensure their longevity, and return the timer and the batteries to the manager's bag.
STILL GOT QUESTIONS?
On game day, it's totally ok to ask your umpire if you have a question that relates to scoring or timing. If you are going to approach the umpire, please take into account their age and apparent experience when you ask your question. Other than your umpire, ANC or FNA committee members might also be able to help you out if you need a hand.
If you have a burning question before game day, feel free to email the Umpiring Coordinator for assistance.