Quote:
Originally posted by JugglingReferee
I don't know NC2A or NFHS football rules, but let me get this straight... if I am wrong please corect me. (I'm Canadian and we use our own rules here.)
The clock stops in this sitch (1st down) with 0.9 seconds left.
The clock starts on the ready for play with the referee's signal to start the clock. If A has to wait 1 second after the RFP whistle before they can snap the ball, the the snap of the ball MUST come after time has expired.
My question is this: I know in the NFL (please no comments...) the snap has to come before time expires. Does NC2A or NFHS rules stipulate that the snap must come before time expires?
If so, then essentially, in this situation, the game is over at any time the clock reads less than 1 second. (If my logic is wrong, please let me know.)
If not, then why do some plays require 1 second before the snap and other don't?
Mike
[Edited by JugglingReferee on Dec 6th, 2002 at 03:40 PM]
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The rule is all linemen must be motionless for 1 second prior to snap. Basically this is only saying there cannot be any movement on the line prior to the snap. If the center snaps the ball soon as he touches it then its a foul. If the ball has not been snapped before time expires, then thats the end of the game. I have never seen a football play clock that uses tenths of a second as the official time--it will say 1 second or 0 seconds (end of game). But to answer your question, it is possible for the offense to snap the ball with 1 second (or even .9 seconds) provided the offense is set and ready to snap the ball as soon as the ready for play is given. Its legal as long as their is no linemen moving just before the snap. Also, the game clock starts after the ready whistle is given NOT as the ready whistle is given. Its a close call but if the offense hustles to setup and their is no movement prior to the snap, I would allow the play to run.