Indiana Mercy rule

[Jim Henry]

So glad Indiana adapted Mercy Rule for this season for HS basketball.

Once a team is up by at least 35 points in the second half, the game will be played with a running clock. The only time the clock will be stopped will be for injury, a charged timeout, intermission between the third and fourth quarters, a foul resulting in free throws or for a safety concern.

It is about time! Had two games this month (grade school and junior high) where the games were a blow outs going into 4th quarter.

[Nevadaref]

I understand that you are pleased to have something, which is better than nothing, yet the fact that the clock stops for FTs is poor.

Btw the NV mercy rule is 35 points at any time in the game.
For comparison, CA is 40 points in the 4th quarter only. Ugh.

[BillyMac]

I hate running time under any circumstances. I always feel rushed, never a good thing for an official.

I would prefer a state mandate to use an existing NFHS rule.

5-5-3: A quarter(s) may be shortened in an emergency or at any time by mutual agreement of the opposing coaches and the referee. Playing time and number of quarters for non-varsity game quarters may be reduced by mutual agreement of opposing coaches.

https://forum.officiating.com/basket...ml#post1046354

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Jim Henry

So glad Indiana adapted Mercy Rule for this season for HS basketball.

Once a team is up by at least 35 points in the second half, the game will be played with a running clock. The only time the clock will be stopped will be for injury, a charged timeout, intermission between the third and fourth quarters, a foul resulting in free throws or for a safety concern.

It is about time! Had two games this month (grade school and junior high) where the games were a blow outs going into 4th quarter.

I do not like the rule. It starts at halftime and you stop the clock for FTs. Illinois is so much better with the clock running at 30 in the 4th Quarter and it does not stop unless there is an injury or timeout.

But again all these things half the time are unnecessary anyway. The clock runs much of the time anyway and to me you take away time from the kids that never play. At least in Illinois, you can call fouls and not feel like anything is going to come to a halt.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

... you take away time from the kids that never play.

Great point JRutledge. As one of those such players on my freshman team (twelfth player on a twelve man team), and on behalf of all the scrubs on the bench, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.