Single Start - Manual timing
As the archer sets in place, the Starter will prepare him or her with "Ready" 10 seconds before the time of start and then will count down loudly from 5 seconds before the start, saying "five - four- three - two -one". At the exact start time, he will give the command "Go".

Simultaneous and Group starts
In Relay, Mass Start and Sprint competitions with group starts, the start signal is actually given by a shot from the start pistol or with a flag. The Starter will then begin verbal warning signals at 1 minute, 30 seconds and "Ready" prior to the start, with the Start signal given within 5 seconds after "ready".

All races begin when the Starter's gun or approved starting apparatus is fired upwards after he confirms all athletes are steady and in the correct starting position. At all International Competitions the commands of the Starter, which is typically in his own language, in English or in French, is "On your marks" and "Set". When all athletes are "Set", the Starter fires the gun, or the approved starting apparatus is activated.

Each match starts with a coin toss. The winners of the coin toss may choose whether to serve or receive first, or they may choose which end of the court they wish to play. Their opponents make the remaining choice.

The chief umpire yells "Play" when the game is about to begin.

The head referee will begin play by blowing his whistle and throwing a jump ball.

A BMX race is started using a voice box. Where an electronically controlled starting gate in combination with a voice box supported starting system is used, the recorded commands of the voice box is: a) Stage 1: "Ok riders, random start". The Starter will hold Stage 1 of the call until satisfied that the start is safe to proceed and will only then activate the voice box starting system. The recorded commands of the voice box shall be as follows: b) Stage 2: "Riders ready". c) "Watch the gate".

The Referee will bring both boxers into the center of the ring and yell "Box".

An approved automatic start system by the ICF, equipped with loudspeakers at each start position, is mandatory for all races. If necessary, an assistant can hold the stern of the boat and release it on the shot or electronic sound. There must also be a video system with camera/VCR with slow replay at each start line position to control the start of the competitors at the Olympic Games.

The Starter, located on the track centre, will use a pistol shot to start the race. In cases where the start is taken from a starting block, the bicycle's brakes are released by an electronic system which simultaneously triggers a chronometer. Once the bicycle has been fixed, a clock placed before the rider counts down the last 50 seconds before the start.

Before each dive, the Referee announces in the language of the host country the name of the diver and the dive to be executed. In competitions where different platforms are used, the height of the platform is also announced. Then a sound signal is given.

The athletes and their horses are given a start time.

Competitors come on guard when the Referee gives the order "En guard!", after which the Referee asks, "Are you ready?". On receiving a reply, he gives the command for fencing to commence with the word "Play!" The bout stops on the word "Halt!", except in the case of special events occurring which modify the regular and normal conditions of the bout.

After all players are in their own half of the field the referee will turn to the goalie and ask, "Goalie ready?" He or she then gives a signal (whistle), and the ball is in play when it is kicked and moved forward.

Gymnasts are given a start time to begin competition. All athletes rotate on exercises during the competition.

The playing time begins with the referee's (whistle) for the initial throw-off. It ends with the automatic final signal from the public clock or from the timekeeper. If no such signal comes, the referee whistles to indicate that the playing time is over.

The referee blows his whistle and the two teams "face-off."

The referee blows his whistle and gives a hand gesture to signal the beginning of the match.

The referee blows his whistle and the two teams "face-off."

For the five disciplines within Pentathlon the standard start is by the blowing of a horn. In the shooting portion there is a verbal "begin shooting" command, fencing a horn by the start judge begins the segment, and a horn begins the swim, ride, and run.

The Referee indicates the start by a flag held upright and short blasts on a whistle.

The game begins by both teams taking their positions at the T in the center of the field at the starting time designated by the Host Club Tournament Committee, and the Umpire bowling the ball, parallel to the end line, underhand and hard, onto the ground in front of and between the opposing ranks of players, each team being on the same side of the center line as the goal which it is defending, no player to be within 5 yards of the Umpire.

The boats are held by the stern on starting pontoons and the bows are aligned on the start line. The rower in the bow seat may raise his/her hand to indicate that the crew is not ready, up until the time when the starter conducts a roll call of the crews. After the last crew has been named in the roll call, the starter raises his/her red flag and gives the warning command "Attention" and, after a pause, says "Go", simultaneously dropping his flag.

Races are started using the removal of a class-specific flag as well as 1 sound from a horn.

When ready to start a match, the Range Officer says "Shooters to the firing line." The shooters are then allowed to take their places on their firing points and prepare their equipment. When all shooters appear to be ready to fire, the Range Officer gives the command to start shooting, which is "load and commence firing." When time has expired, or when all shooters are finished, or when an unsafe range condition exists, the command "cease firing" is given by the range officer. At that time, all shooters immediately will stop shooting and open their actions.

The game begins when the plate umpire calls or signals "Play Ball."

The start in Freestyle, Breaststroke, Butterfly and Individual Medley races begins with a dive. On the long whistle from the referee, swimmers step onto the starting platform and remain there. On the starter's command "Swimmers take your mark", swimmers immediately take up a starting position with at least one foot at the front of the starting platforms. The position of the hands is not relevant. When all swimmers are stationary, the Starter gives the starting signal.

The start in Backstroke and Medley Relay begins from the water. At the referee's first long whistle, swimmers immediately enter the water. At the Referee's second long whistle the swimmers return to the starting position. When all swimmers have assumed their starting positions, the Starter gives the command "Swimmers take your mark". When all swimmers are stationary, the Starter gives the starting signal.

In Olympic Games, the command "Swimmers take your mark" is given in English and the start shall be by multiple loudspeakers, mounted one at each starting platform.

Synchronized swimming routines may start on the deck or in the water. The routine and judging begins with a predetermined signal from the referee. Once the signal is given, swimmers must perform the routine without interruption. Official timers check the overall time of the routine as well as walk-on and deck movements.

The players line up, and one side serves.

The referee starts the contest by commanding "fight".

The players are introduced by the referee. The referee states, "Mr./Mrs. ------------ you have the first serve." Then whoever has the honors serves first.

There is a horn or gun start.

To begin the game the chief referee calls the teams forward and then blows a whistle to begin the game.

Once the teams are set in the water a referee will blow a whistle to start the match followed by the referee throwing the ball into play on the half distance line.

The athletes start off of the referee's mark.

Each wrestler's name is called, and they take their position at opposite corners of the mat. The referee then calls both wrestlers to his side at the center of the mat, shakes hands with both, inspects their apparel, and checks for any perspiration, oily or greasy substances, and any other infractions. The two wrestlers then greet each other, shake hands, and the referee blows his whistle to start the period.