How many timers are on each lane, and what does a lane timer do?
Rule- USA
- USA Swimming
- Swim meets
- All ages
- Timing
- 2026 rules
- Timers
How many: USA Swimming's minimum is 3 timers per lane, or at least 1 when automatic timing with touchpads is used (Article 102.10.3).
What a lane timer does (102.16.3):
- Start your watch at the starting signal.
- Stand over your lane at the finish and stop the watch and/or push the button when the swimmer touches the wall.
- Report your time to the head lane timer or recorder, along with any late or missed touchpad touch you saw.
- Keep the time on your watch until watches are cleared, and show it if asked.
Who's who: the Chief Timer assigns timers to lanes, names a head lane timer for each lane, and starts a backup watch on every race (102.16.1).
Added 21 Oct 2026