FOOTBALL
EDITOR: JEFFREY STERN
jstern@referee.com
RULES, MECHANICS, PHILOSOPHY
TIME’S A-WASTIN’ By George Demetriou
T
ime is precious. That is especially true in a football game whether the playing time is 48 or 60 minutes. The play clock regulates the pace of the game. If team A does not snap the ball before the play clock expires, the penalty is five yards, the value of which depends on the game situation, e.g., third and six is much more of a challenge than third and one. On the other hand, the five-yard pushback might be viewed as helpful in a punt situation when a greater distance to the goalline could help avert a touchback. The rules have several safeguards designed to help ensure a team does not gain an advantage by delaying the game. Under NFHS rules, the
12 | REFEREE October 2021
game clock starts on the snap after an accepted delay penalty. In NCAA, it starts on the ready, unless there has been an abuse of the timing rules or team A is in a scrimmage-kick formation (whether or not the penalty is accepted) (NFHS 3-4-3i; NCAA 3-32d-11). Play 1: First and 10 on team A’s 30 yardline. The game clock is running. Team A, in a double-wing formation with the quarterback immediately behind the center, is flagged for delay. The penalty is (a) accepted, or (b) declined. Ruling 1: In NFHS, in (a), the game clock starts on the snap; in (b), the game clock starts on the ready. In an NCAA game, in (a) and (b), the game clock starts on the ready. Play 2: Fourth and 10 on team R’s
30 yardline. The game clock is running. Team K, in punt formation, is flagged for delay. The penalty is (a) accepted, or (b) declined. Ruling 2: Under NFHS rules, in (a), the game clock starts on the snap; in (b), the game clock starts on the ready. In an NCAA game, in (a) and (b), referees may order the game clock or play clock started or stopped whenever either team conserves or consumes playing time by tactics obviously unfair. The NCAA recommendation is referees should consider invoking that rule when the game clock is under five minutes of either half. That is a good suggestion for NFHS play as well (NFHS 3-4-6, 3.4.3B; NCAA 3-4-3). Intentional grounding has specific clock treatment to preclude a team
JANN HENDRY
Rules Regarding Game and Play Clocks
