Time in and time out

A quick guide to the 'Time In' and 'Time Out' calls that start and pause play at boffer campaign larps, written for first-time players.

'Time In' and 'Time Out' are among the most important calls you will hear at many boffer campaign larps. When a referee, marshal, or event organiser shouts 'Time In,' it means the game world is now active and your character exists in it. When someone shouts 'Time Out,' all in-character action stops immediately — weapons are lowered, movement freezes, and everyone steps into an out-of-character mindset until play resumes. Treating these calls with respect is one of the clearest signs of an experienced player. 'Time Out' is called for many reasons: a genuine safety concern on the field, a player who needs medical attention or a moment to collect themselves, a prop or costume malfunction that could cause harm, or a rules question that cannot wait. Whatever the reason, the expectation is the same — stop, listen, and stay calm. Do not attempt to continue a scene, resolve a combat exchange, or move towards your objective until the call to resume is given, which is usually another 'Time In' or sometimes a count such as 'Resuming in three, two, one, Time In.' Some games use slightly different words for the same idea. You may hear 'Lay On' instead of 'Time In,' or 'Hold' instead of 'Time Out.' A few events use a whistle pattern or a raised fist to signal a pause when a shout might not carry across a noisy field. The meaning is the same regardless of the exact words or signal, but each game's rulebook and pre-event safety brief are the authority on what signals are used and what players are expected to do in response. Because boffer combat involves physical contact and foam weapons, a missed pause call can lead to injury. Before play begins, make sure you know exactly which words or signals your event uses, and practise responding to them. If you ever feel unsafe — whether from the pace of combat, terrain underfoot, or anything else — you have every right to call 'Time Out' yourself. Keeping everyone safe is a shared responsibility, and no scene or story beat is more important than the wellbeing of the people on the field.