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In Georgia the mercy rule is as follows:
At the end of the first half of play, if a team is trailing by 30 points or more, the coach of the trailing team may choose to play the second half with a running clock. Quarters would remain at 12 minutes.
If the coach does not exercise the option of the running clock, the third quarter will be played with regulation timing.
If the point differential reaches, or remains, 30 or more points during the third quarter, the clock will still run according to rule for the remainder of the third quarter, but the fourth quarter will have a running clock mandated.
A running clock means the clock will be stopped only: (a) after a score and until the ball is kicked off. (b) during deliberations for penalty administration. (c) during charged timeouts or official's timeouts.
A game that is reduced in time by use of a running clock shall constitute a "completed" game to meet other by-law considerations.
The leading coach has no say so. Personally I don't like the running clock in the third quarter. It really limits the snaps the younger kids get.
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