The Timer
Table of contents
Timer Display
Each speech has a fixed length. Once the speech begins, the timer shows the elapsed time in two forms: a progress bar and a numerical display. The bar gives an at-a-glance read of how much time is left; the number shows the exact time spent speaking.
The timer is colour-coded: it shows protected time in red during the first and last minute of the speech.
Before the Clock Starts
Starting a speech runs a five-second count-in first. During the count-in the timer is neither stopped nor running, and every timer control is disabled — the only available action is Cancel on the count-in banner. The clock starts when the count-in reaches zero.
Time Control
Adjudicators can pause or resume the timer during a speech from the control panel — useful if an issue arises mid-speech, or to break for feedback in a practice session.
The timer controls are also frozen while the Debate Room is closing — once the room announces that it is about to hand over to the Evaluation stage, the clock is held where it is and cannot be restarted. See The Debate Process.