Running Clock being proposed in WIAA Executive Assembly

[drshawnpet]

We don't have the rule in Iowa, and I hope we never adopt it; I can see its usefulness in football, where an inferior team can be physically beaten down. But basketball? No one gets hurt physically by made jumpers and lay-ups. Coaches with big leads can, and typically will, pull off the dogs, play zone, etc. We need to stop worrying so much about 'feelings' -- you can't convince me that a running clock is less humiliating than a 50 point beatdown... sorry, but that happens in sports sometimes -- deal with it! OK need to climb down my soapbox now...

[eyezen]

The only thing I suggest is if they do adopt it make a provision that once its hits 40 do not revert back to regular clock unless by some miracle it drops to say 20 or so. That will prevent the running-not running-running-not running crap.

In Missouri its 30 but will revert to normal clock under 30, so when teams trade buckets its always flip flopping. The game is over by then, just play it out with the clock running.

[Adam]

We use it in our metro league at the jv level. I like it, but not enough to lobby for it.

[rockyroad]

One of the reasons they are looking at the "mercy rule" is that WA adopted the shot clock in boy's basketball this season - we have had it in girl's games for quite some time. So the team that is way ahead can't simply pull the ball out and work on their stall, or use lots of clock on each possession. If they don't shoot, it's a turnover - no coach is going to let that happen.

Worst game I have ever had was a girl's Varsity game - final score was 110-11. Mercy rule would have made it more like 60-10. Easier to swallow for everyone involved.

[BLydic]

Pennsylvania's mercy rule kicks in at 40 points anytime in the 2nd half. The clock remains running, until the game is over, regardless of the point differential. The only time the clock stops is for an injury, a time-out or after an official reports a foul requiring free throws.

If you're down by 40, everyone wants the game over as soon as possible. This helps.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BLydic

If you're down by 40, everyone wants the game over as soon as possible.

Everyone except the reserves sitting down at the very end of the bench. Depending on which side of the scorer's table we were seated at, I played either the left bench, or the right bench, position. I had that position nailed down. Almost literally.

[JeffRobinson]

In Minnesota the mercy rule is only in the last 9 minutes of second half, ahead by 35 or more. It reverts to regular timing when the defecit is under 30.

[chseagle]

Originally Posted by rockyroad

One of the reasons they are looking at the "mercy rule" is that WA adopted the shot clock in boy's basketball this season - we have had it in girl's games for quite some time. So the team that is way ahead can't simply pull the ball out and work on their stall, or use lots of clock on each possession. If they don't shoot, it's a turnover - no coach is going to let that happen.

Worst game I have ever had was a girl's Varsity game - final score was 110-11. Mercy rule would have made it more like 60-10. Easier to swallow for everyone involved.

RockyRoad,

Since Washington's using the shot clock for Boys' now, what's been your thought of it. Has it helped speed up games?

What are your overall thoughts of the proposal of the mercy rule with the 40 point differential in the 2nd Half? Should it stay running even if the score gets closer or keep the running clock throughout no matter the score?

I had a game earlier in GV where the final score was 68-8.

[walter]

DE has the mercy rule. It only kicks in if the point differential is 35 points or more in the 4th quarter only. It reverts back to stop clock if the lead falls back to 25 points. it is not used in the State Tournament. Once the rule kicks in, the clock only stops for timeouts.

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by chseagle

RockyRoad,

Since Washington's using the shot clock for Boys' now, what's been your thought of it. Has it helped speed up games?

What are your overall thoughts of the proposal of the mercy rule with the 40 point differential in the 2nd Half? Should it stay running even if the score gets closer or keep the running clock throughout no matter the score?

I had a game earlier in GV where the final score was 68-8.

I'm not sure that the shot clock has really had that big of an impact. Most of the boys teams in this area want to play up-tempo anyway (whether they have the talent or not!)...so I guess my feelings are mixed. I don't mind it, but I'm not completely sold on it either.

As for the "mercy rule", we need it. Especially in the smaller classifications there are some very lopsided games and I think this would help with some of the garbage that goes on late in those games. The WIAA instituted the same type of rule in football this past fall, and the team I coach was on both sides of the "mercy" one time each...it was very good to have.

[chseagle]

Originally Posted by rockyroad

I'm not sure that the shot clock has really had that big of an impact. Most of the boys teams in this area want to play up-tempo anyway (whether they have the talent or not!)...so I guess my feelings are mixed. I don't mind it, but I'm not completely sold on it either.

As for the "mercy rule", we need it. Especially in the smaller classifications there are some very lopsided games and I think this would help with some of the garbage that goes on late in those games. The WIAA instituted the same type of rule in football this past fall, and the team I coach was on both sides of the "mercy" one time each...it was very good to have.

Well one thing I've noticed is that for the Boys' games the scores are a bit higher than in the past cause of the addition of the shot clock.

Concerning the smaller classifications, I know what you mean. That GV game where the score ended 68-8 was between 2 1A teams. However, one team had talent throughout the team, while the other team had only one player that had any real good potential.