USATF Ofcls Best Practices, Lap Scoring-1 or 2 Scorers, Apr 15 (Credit: J. McGonigle, G&M Butler)
USATF OFFICIALS BEST PRACTICES
LAP SCORING BASICS - For 1or 2 SCORERS
(USATF Rule 131, NCAA Rule 3.18)
Introduction
Lap scorers are required to keep a record of laps covered by each competitor for races of one mile or longer (USATF), and
times for each competitor’s lap for races of three miles/3000 meters or more. Also, lap scorers should not be assigned
more than three competitors in any race. When a sufficient lap scoring crew is present, see the Best Practices “Lap
Scoring” document for how to perform this duty, along with the associated “Lap Scoring Sheets.”
However, at many meets only one or two lap scorers are assigned, and this paper describes how to perform the duty in
these instances. At least two people are needed for races with more than ten runners. In the absence of multiple lap
scorers, and with a field of many athletes, it’s impossible to accurately record laps, keep track of lapped athletes and
finishers, and record times. In these cases, do not attempt to record times because the correct number of laps remaining,
and an accurate order of finish are the most critical elements. Scorers must be focused for the entire race for accuracy.
Preparation
Assume nothing will be supplied by the meet or facility. You’ll need the following at a minimum:
Clipboards and several reliable pens or pencils
Graph paper or lap scoring sheet (LSS). Instructions for creating a form in Microsoft Excel are at Appendix A
A lap counter device and/or large hand held numbers to display to the athletes
A finish line bell, or possibly a metal baton suspended from a lanyard and struck with a metal rod
A lap counter device displays laps remaining for the leader in a race. Lap scorers and the counter device are positioned just
before the finish line so laps remaining can be shown to athletes as they approach the finish. When using hand held
numbers, drop numbers you’re finished displaying; you can’t display a wrong number if you’re not holding it.
Coordinate with the Clerk regarding issuing of hip numbers. Ensure runners have a number on both the chest and the hip
so they’re clearly visible to the scorers (if scorers are inside the track, then numbers go on the left hip & chest).
A standard indoor track s 200 meters though many are various other sizes. Don’t take anyone’s word for it; arrive early, find
out the length and calculate the number of laps for each race in the meet. There are more distances run indoors (see
Appendix B) and lapping happens twice as fast due to the smaller track. Be aware of the challenges for relays: the
competitor that starts the race does not end the race; many times only the final runner in each team wears a hip number,
and there may be different distances for different legs and exchange zones moving around the track. It’s useful to put the
total laps in the race on the lap counter and use hand held numbers for the individual runners.
Neatness counts; if your 7’s look too much like your 2’s your sheets will be worthless to anyone else trying to read them
during or after a race. The lap scoring sheets below are one example; others have designed sheets with larger spaces to
handle smaller fields, and sheets that record the running order horizontally vs. vertically. Use what works for you.
Procedures
Before a race starts get a count of how many athletes will run, hip numbers used, and hip numbers in sequence not used.
This allows you to prepare your lap scoring sheets and helps to identify dropouts. Obtain this from the Clerk (especially
needed for races that do not start near the finish line). Record the initial sequence of hip numbers on the sheet in the
highlighted or “ST” or START column/line. If time permits, make a mental or written note of a description of the runners –
especially 1st place; for example # 6 is a blonde with white top and red shorts (white on red).
One scorer is watching the field, calls out the hip numbers of athletes in order as they approach the finish line and operates
the lap counter. Call out and record hip numbers as early as possible (head of the straightaway) to maximize the number
of athletes you can score each lap; having the runners’ descriptions helps you to do this. The other scorer has their head
down and is recording the order of athletes on each lap and keeping track of lapped athletes.
In the first few laps of the race it’s unlikely all hip numbers can be recorded. Don’t worry - get as many as you can from both
the front and the back of the field. As the athletes string out during the race, you should be able to record all athletes in the
race. Circling a number on the lap chart may be used to indicate a runner who has been lapped.
On every lap, change the lap counter when the leader reaches the head of the final straightaway so you don’t change it
twice on the same lap. As you prepare to change the lap counter, confirm verbally with other scorer that the next open
column on the sheet matches the new number displayed on the lap counter. For any athlete who has been lapped, you
must call out to them the number of laps they have remaining (may display the appropriate hand held number).
Always know who is in first place and who is in last place.
