Thread: Mercy Rules?
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Old Sat Oct 23, 2004, 08:59pm
Forksref Forksref is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: N.D.
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Quote:
Originally posted by ljudge
I'm curious as to what other states are doing (other than in NJ). Every year (as most of you do) we are asked by our organization to put in suggestions for new rules, either to the NFHS or to our state for state adoptions. I'm curious as to what the mercy rules are for other states with respect to making the clock a running clock.

We had a 48-0 at halftime and eventually a 62-6 contest. I was the R and ran the clock on extra points, after incompletes, OOB, etc. It was almost obnoxious running the clock the way I did and both coaches gave kudos to us for how we actually ran it. The losing coach wasn't completing any passes, yet went to a no-huddle and ran qb draw, qb draw, qb draw most of the day. It was horrible for the kids. The winning coach felt absolutely horrible and he even apologized afte the game which he didn't have to do. He's a 31-year coach and ran the ball between the tackles most of the game and never once passed in the 2nd half with his 3rd and 4th teams. And, they STILL scored a couple of TDs in the 2nd half.

I'm just curious as to what some of the guidelines are.

NFHS leaves it up to each state to decide on mercy rules (3-1-2). Also, both coaches can agree to shorten periods (3-1-3). Non-school leagues can certainly adopt whatever procedures they want.

In ND we have a 30-pt differential in the 2nd half. The clock continues to run on incomplete passes, out of bounds and during the try. My experience is that it doesn't shorten the game by much. It is better than the old 45-pt rule which terminated the game. At least now, more kids get to play.
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