Mercy Rule Help

[HokiePaul]

Most of the schools in my area have adopted a similar rule. I can only speak for my area, but I believe the intent is that when the clock stops (for FTs, TO, injury), it stays stopped until it would normally be started (i.e. legally touched inbounds).

The timer is simply instructed not to stop the clock as they normally would for non-shooting fouls, held balls, or violations. Nothing else changes.

[RedKillian]

Originally Posted by HokiePaul

Most of the schools in my area have adopted a similar rule. I can only speak for my area, but I believe the intent is that when the clock stops (for FTs, TO, injury), it stays stopped until it would normally be started (i.e. legally touched inbounds).

The timer is simply instructed not to stop the clock as they normally would for non-shooting fouls, held balls, or violations. Nothing else changes.

Here in Minnesota, we have the mercy rule. The rule states the clock stops for time outs, injuries, when officials need to confer with the table and other unusual delays. We do run it during free throws when no time outs are involved. It does not explicitly state when the clock should be restarted. I've never had discussion with any of my partners on when the clock should be restarted. The clock gets started as normal just like HokiePaul describes above. I do tell the timer to stop the clock if a player is shooting free throws at the end of the game, do not let time expire with a player at the line.

[UNIgiantslayers]

In Iowa at 35 pts, it stops for free throws when mercy rule is in effect, which I've always thought was odd. They have to get the lead down to 20 for the running clock to stop.

[deecee]

Originally Posted by UNIgiantslayers

In Iowa at 35 pts, it stops for free throws when mercy rule is in effect, which I've always thought was odd. They have to get the lead down to 20 for the running clock to stop.

CA had the mercy rule. It was 40 points and once the clock starts it only stops for injuries or TO's. It starts and runs when the ball is made live and once it starts there is no scenario where it goes back to normal for the remainder of the game. This was 5 years ago, since I moved from CA, so some things may have changed.

[packersowner]

Starting the clock at the end of the timeout period seems to make the most sense. Otherwise, this encourages a coach to take the remaining timeouts simply to stop the clock during the free throw.

[Coach Bill]

Originally Posted by packersowner

Starting the clock at the end of the timeout period seems to make the most sense. Otherwise, this encourages a coach to take the remaining timeouts simply to stop the clock during the free throw.

What's wrong with that? I hate the "mercy" rule. Whether on the winning or losing end, it's an opportunity to get some kids more playing time than they might otherwise. I wouldn't want to cut that short. I wouldn't call timeout if ahead by 40, but i would understand if the losing team didn't want to get the game cut short. I think it should only be in effect by mutual agreement. How do other coaches feel?

[BlueDevilRef]

Originally Posted by Coach Bill

What's wrong with that? I hate the "mercy" rule. Whether on the winning or losing end, it's an opportunity to get some kids more playing time than they might otherwise. I wouldn't want to cut that short. I wouldn't call timeout if ahead by 40, but i would understand if the losing team didn't want to get the game cut short. I think it should only be in effect by mutual agreement. How do other coaches feel?

If you are waiting until you are getting blown out by 40 to get playing time for the end of your bench, that's on you.

[VaTerp]

Originally Posted by HokiePaul

Most of the schools in my area have adopted a similar rule. I can only speak for my area, but I believe the intent is that when the clock stops (for FTs, TO, injury), it stays stopped until it would normally be started (i.e. legally touched inbounds).

The timer is simply instructed not to stop the clock as they normally would for non-shooting fouls, held balls, or violations. Nothing else changes.

The rule in VA is a VHSL rule that conferences can elect to opt out of. But that rules specifies that exceptions to the clock running include FTs, timeouts, injuries, and administration of technical fouls.

This is not helpful to the OP b/c his state rule apparently does not include a FT exception. As such I would instruct the timer start the clock after the timeout has ended and the ball is placed at the disposal of the FT shooter.

The state should issue clarifying language for this situation.

[deecee]

Originally Posted by VaTerp

The state should issue clarifying language for this situation.

What clarifying language? It's a blowout, run the clock as much and often as you can so you can get over with it.