Using Match Time for Soccer in BallerCam

Match Time lets you track the official game clock during a soccer game instead of relying only on the amount of time your stream has been running.

It runs separately from Stream Time and helps viewers follow the match using the game clock and current period. Match Time is also used when organizing goals, Moments, clips, game logs, and other match events.

⚽ What is Match Time?

BallerCam uses two different types of time:

• Stream Time — The total amount of time since your stream started.
• Match Time — The official game clock associated with the current half or match period.

Match Time can appear in:

• Soccer game cards on Global Home when Match Time is enabled

• The scoreboard overlay during live viewing
• Goals and scoring events
• Moments
• Clips and highlights
• Game logs
• Post-game organization

Stream Time continues to be used for video playback and syncing.

⚙️ Before the Game

Setting up Match Time before the first whistle can help prevent clock errors during the match.

Set Up Match Time Early

Configure the match clock at least a few minutes before the game begins.

Before kickoff:

• Confirm the correct period format for the game.
• Verify the match duration follows your league or competition rules.
• Confirm the correct clock starting value.
• Make sure the Match Time clock appears correctly in the stream overlay.

For soccer, Match Time will typically be organized around the 1st Half, Halftime, and 2nd Half, with additional periods available when applicable.

Do a Test Run

Before the match begins:

1. Start the Match Time clock.
2. Let it run briefly.
3. Stop the clock.
4. Confirm that the clock changes correctly.
5. Check the video preview to make sure the clock appears properly in the scoreboard overlay.
6. Reset the clock to the correct starting time before kickoff.

This allows you to verify the controls before live play begins.

Sync With the Official Game Clock

If Scoreboard Detection is being used, confirm that BallerCam's detected clock matches the physical scoreboard before the match begins.

If the clock is being managed manually, use the referee's or venue's official game clock as your reference rather than a separate phone timer.

▶️ Starting Match Time

You can start your BallerCam stream before the actual soccer match begins.

When the teams are ready for kickoff:

1. Open the Scorekeeper.
2. Select 1st Half.
3. Confirm that the Match Time clock is set correctly.
4. Wait for the referee's signal.
5. Start the Match Time clock as play begins.

Starting the BallerCam stream early does not mean Match Time also needs to begin early. Match Time should stay synchronized with the actual match.

Once Match Time is active:

• The game clock appears in the scoreboard overlay.
• Events can be associated with the appropriate match time.
• Goals and Moments can display the match minute in which they occurred.

⏱️ Managing Match Time During the Game

The goal is to keep BallerCam's Match Time synchronized with the official game clock.

Start the Clock on the Referee's Signal

Do not start Match Time before play actually begins.

Even starting the clock a few seconds early can create drift between BallerCam and the official match clock over time.

Stop and Resume the Clock When Required

Follow the clock rules being used for your game or league.

When Match Time needs to be stopped for an interruption:

1. Stop the clock promptly.
2. Wait until the referee signals that play is ready to resume.
3. Restart Match Time when play resumes.

Possible interruptions may include:

• Injuries
• Referee reviews
• Timeouts, if used by your competition
• Other stoppages where the official match clock is also stopped

Use the official game clock as your reference when deciding whether BallerCam's Match Time should continue running.

🔄 Keeping Match Time Synchronized

Periodically compare BallerCam's Match Time with the official scoreboard or referee-controlled clock.

If the two clocks begin to differ:

• Correct Match Time as soon as possible.
• Do not allow a small difference to continue growing throughout the match.
• If the clocks differ by more than approximately 5 seconds, manually adjust BallerCam's clock to match the official game clock.

The physical scoreboard or official match clock should be treated as the source of truth.

🔁 Managing Period Transitions

At the end of a half or match period, make sure the clock, score, and period are correct before advancing.

Use this sequence:

1. Stop the clock when the period ends.
2. Confirm the score for both teams.
3. Advance the period using Next Period.
4. Confirm or reset the clock for the next period.
5. Wait for the referee's signal before starting Match Time again.

Do not advance to the next period while play is still in progress.

⏸️ Halftime

When the first half ends:

1. Stop Match Time.
2. Confirm that the score is correct.
3. Select Halftime when appropriate.
4. Use halftime to verify:
   • The score
   • The clock
   • The stream overlay
   • The upcoming period
5. When teams return to the field, select 2nd Half.
6. Start the clock when the referee signals that play has resumed.

Do not begin the second-half Match Time simply because the teams have returned to the field. Wait for the official restart.

➕ Extra Time and Penalties

If your match includes additional periods, BallerCam can continue tracking Match Time beyond regulation.

Extra Time

Select the appropriate Extra Time period and make sure the clock is set correctly before play resumes.

Start the clock when the referee signals the beginning of the Extra Time period.

Penalties

When the match moves to a penalty shootout:

• Selecting Penalties ends the running Match Time clock.
• Penalty events do not display a match minute.

🏁 Ending Match Time

At the final whistle, do not immediately end the game.

Instead:

1. Stop Match Time.
2. Verify that the final score matches the official scoreboard or match result.
3. Correct any score or clock discrepancies.
4. Confirm that the correct final period is displayed.
5. Then tap End Match or complete the game-ending workflow.

Taking a few seconds to verify the score before ending helps ensure the final game record is accurate.

Ending Match Time Without Ending the Stream

Match Time and your live stream operate separately.

You can end the match while continuing to stream post-game activity.

Once you end Match Time:

• The match clock stops.
• The game state becomes final.
• Your stream can continue for post-game coverage.
• Events created afterward will no longer include Match Time.

👀 What Viewers See

When Match Time is active, viewers can see the live match clock in the BallerCam scoreboard overlay.

Goals and Moments can also display the match minute in which the event occurred, such as: 23'

This helps viewers understand when important events happened during the match.

🎬 Match Time in Clips and Replays

After the game, Match Time can appear alongside events in:

• Clips and highlights
• Moments
• Game logs
• Scoring plays

Events recorded while Match Time was active are associated with the match minute when they occurred.

For example, a goal recorded during the 23rd minute can appear as 23' when reviewing the game.

📱 What Happens if the App Closes?

If the BallerCam app closes or is restarted during an active match, Match Time is designed to recover the current game state.

After reopening the app:

• Return to the active game.
• Confirm that Match Time is still synchronized with the official game clock.
• Verify the current period.
• Make any correction needed before continuing.

Match Time resumes after the app restarts. With the emphasis on clock accuracy, it is still a good practice to verify synchronization before continuing to score.

✅ Match Time Best Practices

For the most accurate Match Time experience:

• Set up and test Match Time before kickoff.
• Confirm the correct match period and clock before play begins.
• Start the clock on the referee's signal—not before.
• Use the official physical scoreboard or referee-controlled clock as your reference.
• Correct clock drift as soon as you notice it.
• Use the clock controls for interruptions instead of changing periods unnecessarily.
• Verify the score before advancing to another period.
• Confirm the clock and overlay again during halftime.
• Start the second-half clock only when the referee restarts play.
• Verify the final score before ending the match.
• End Match Time when the game is complete, even if you plan to continue streaming post-game coverage.

❓ FAQ

Can I edit Match Time after the game?

Not currently. Make any needed clock adjustments while the match is still active.

Can I start Match Time after the game has already started?

Yes. Your livestream and Match Time are separate, so you can start Match Time after the stream begins.

If you begin Match Time late, adjust the clock to match the official game time before continuing.

Does Match Time work independently from Stream Time?

Yes.

Stream Time tracks how long your BallerCam stream has been running, while Match Time represents the official soccer game clock.

Can I keep streaming after the match ends?

Yes. Ending Match Time does not require you to stop the BallerCam stream immediately. You can continue streaming post-game activity after the match has been marked final.

Is Match Time available for other sports?

Match Time is only a soccer feature.

✅ Key Reminders

• Stream Time and Match Time are different.
• Set up and test Match Time before kickoff.
• Match Time should follow the official match clock.
• Start and resume the clock on the referee's signal.
• Correct clock drift rather than allowing it to accumulate.
• Verify the score before changing periods.
• Check the clock and scoreboard again during halftime.
• Use Next Period only after the current period has ended.
• Verify the final score before ending the match.
• You can end Match Time and continue streaming post-game coverage.
• Match Time is used to associate goals, Moments, clips, and game events with the correct part of the match.