Set Match Buffers and the Overtime Threshold
Match buffers add setup, changeover and decision time to every match in your mat schedule. Learn what each does and when a match counts as overtime.
Applies to: Organizers
A match on the mat takes longer than its fighting time. Athletes walk on, bow and get checked. Judges confirm the result. The next pair needs a moment. Hajime adds this time to every match through three buffers, so the estimated start times on your mat schedules match what really happens.
You find them in the speciality editor under Advanced Timing Settings. They apply to every match in that speciality.
The three buffers
| Setting | Default | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Match Buffer | 120 seconds | Athletes walking on and getting ready |
| Post-Match Buffer | 60 seconds | Clearing the mat for the next pair |
| Decision Buffer | 120 seconds | Judges confirming the result |
Hajime estimates each match as:
fighting time (rounds × round duration) + rest between rounds + pre-match buffer + post-match buffer + decision buffer
A single 3-minute round with the defaults is planned as 8 minutes on the mat: 3 minutes of fighting plus 5 minutes of buffers.
When to change them
Lower the buffers when matches follow each other quickly, for example short kids' bouts with athletes already waiting by the mat. Raise them when changeovers are slow: protective gear checks, mat cleaning, or a panel of judges that confers before each decision.
Small changes add up. Cutting the pre-match buffer by 30 seconds saves 50 minutes over 100 matches on one mat.
After changing a buffer, regenerate the mat schedules so the start times reflect it. The readiness checklist warns you when a mat schedule runs past the end of your event. See Managing Mats and Schedules.
The overtime threshold
When a match's time runs out, the judges confirm the decision. If the match is still waiting for that decision once the Overtime Threshold has passed (default 300 seconds), Hajime flags it as overtime.
The flag doesn't stop the match or change its result. It shows up as an Overtime badge on the match in the event's Statistics page. The Retrospective reports the overtime rate under Operational Flags. A high rate tells you the decision buffer is too short, or that decisions are slow on some mats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do buffers change the match timer the judges see? No. The timer only counts fighting and rest time. Buffers only affect the schedule estimate.
Can I set different buffers for different specialities? Yes. Each speciality has its own values, so kata and sparring can be planned differently at the same event.
My mats keep running ahead of schedule. What should I check? Your buffers are probably longer than your real changeovers. Lower them, then regenerate the mat schedules.
Last updated: October 2026