Timer

A timer is someone who keeps track of time in a speech or debate round. In platform and interpretive speeches, a timer generally records the length of the entire speech, and indicates it to the judge; in debate rounds and limited-prep speeches, timers also indicate remaining time to the competitors using hand signals and/or verbal cues.

Timers are often siblings of competitors, but almost anyone can be a timer (including other competitors, if they are available.) NCFCA tournament rules require an independent timer for all speech and debate rounds; Stoa rules allow debaters to time themselves, merely requiring that a timer be provided "whenever possible".