Region One Football Officials Association Rule Topics: Timing – Starting/Stopping Clock We Are All Here to Learn

Timing – Starting & Stopping Clock NFHS Rule 3-2-4

Stopping Clock Golden Rule: the action that stops the clock – starts the clock Example: Foul by ‘A’ during a touchdown. What stopped the clock? When will clock start? Any official may stop the clock – echoed by all officials Signals that stop clock (good pre-game for ECO) Time-out or Out-of-Bounds Incomplete pass Score (Touchdown, Field Goal, or Safety) Touchback Clock does not run: During a try after score During an untimed down Use officials time-out to replace player who helmet comes off during the down (that was not result of foul) Punts kicked out-of-bounds in the air – 1st signal is to stop clock, then spot the ball Golden Rule Example: Foul by ‘A’ during a touchdown. What stopped the clock? TD When will clock start? SNAP

Clock Starts: On free kick when legally touched by ‘R’ – started by covering official When legally snapped, if clock is stopped because: Ball goes out-of-bounds B or R awarded new series Ball becomes dead behind the goal line (touchback) Time-out End of Period Fair catch Delay of game penalty is accepted Legal OR Illegal forward pass is Incomplete Awareness of Rule 7-5-2 Exception - ‘A’ legally “spiking” ball Attempt to consume time illegally – this does not say ‘attempts to illegally conserve time’ (3-4-6) Referee can start/stop clock if team attempts to consume or conserve time illegally Either team awarded new series after legal kick Example: ‘R’ touches ball beyond the NZ & is recovered by ‘K’ On an accepted foul under 2:00 minutes in either half, the offended team may choose to have clock started on the snap Elsewise clock starts on ready-for-play signal from Referee Could include after inadvertent whistle or officials time-out ECO watch for “silent wind” on 1st down in-bounds Clock remains running if runner or airborne receiver's forward progress is stopped inbounds & is carried out-of-bounds Illegal forward pass could be a 2nd forward pass during a down or a pass beyond the LOS. Example of attempt to illegally conserve time: pass intentionally thrown incomplete to conserve time – in this case the clock starts on the RFP.

Case Studies #1: If free kick is chosen after fair catch, when does clock start? #2: If intentional grounding penalty, when does clock start? #3: In last few seconds of 4th quarter, in rush to stop clock A’s snapper & QB are only players in legal position when ball is snapped & legally spiked. Ruling? Ruling: Foul for Illegal formation. “Spike” is legal. Reason for clock stoppage is incomplete pass. Clock starts on the snap. Note: “Spike” from shotgun formation, after fumbled snap, or spike that hits snappers legs is illegal forward pass & clock starts on the RFP. #4: Clock running, 2 seconds remain in Q4, ‘A’ trailing 21-20: ‘B’ encroaches – when does clock start? ‘A’ false start – when does clock start? Same scenario but in Q1 – when does clock start? #5: Score A-13, B-14 w/ clock running -10 seconds remain. QB A12 is flushed from pocket & to avoid sack throws ball in the stands. Flag for IG. On play B21 holds. Penalties offset. 1 second remains on clock. When does clock start & Why? #1: when legally touched by R #2: snap #3: snap #4: (new 2017 rule now comes into effect about foul by opponent in last 2 minutes of half) snap; RFP; RFP in both scenarios #5: RFP (clock did not expire during the down, so there is not an untimed down, and there is not an accepted penalty)

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