From the FHSAA officials manual regarding the 35 pt. mercy rule:

The game clock shall be stopped only for timeouts, injuries, administration of technical fouls, or if the officials need to address a situation that requires excessive time to resolve.

In CA it's a 40 point difference entering the 4th quarter or reached at any time during the 4th. Clock only stops for time-outs.

The important part of the running clock rule here, especially for table operations. So fat this year I've seen it happen 3 times (one of those times I was timer).

At least here it's for all levels & not just Varsity.

Kansas = 30 points, 4th quarter. Lead falling back under 30 doesn't change it.

Haven't had any technical fouls with the running clock so I have not had to deal with it. My bad.

2 running clock games tonight. First one was 72-3. Second one was not as bad, but one team was about 2 for a million from the line and the first half took an hour to play.

I know of no rule like that in VA.

Had one of the better local VG teams tonight. Final was 80-45.....

No mercy!

We have one in Illinois but it only applies to regular season tournaments. The rule must be stated to be used by the tournament director before each game (or policy of the tournament to use these rules). And it only applies up until February 1st. The rule is used when the lead is 30 points in the 4th quarter and I believe the clock continues even if the score goes below that number and only stops for timeouts and injuries.

Peace

Isn't there a timeout for an injury? :)

Appreciate the input, I am wishing we here in Utah had some rule, did a 68 to 7 game the other night. In almost 20 years of blowing my whistle it was my quickest Varsity game, Just under 59 minutes from scheduled game time til I hit the dressing room. That included the National Anthem and introduction of players. We didn't call much and let some stuff go as you can well imagine.

Get In, Get Out, Get Done. Sounds like easy $ to me! I ain't complainin! :p

Iowa's Mercy Rule...
 

In Iowa, we have two sanctioning bodies (one for girls, one for boys... I know). This year the boys adopted a mercy rule. The girls opted not to. Go figure. Anyway, the Iowa boys version is:

• 35-point running clock, second half only. If the score margin drops below 25 points, then normal timing will resume for the remainder of the game, or until the 35 point plateau is again reached.

• The clock will run continuously except for the following situations when it will be stopped:

1. Anytime a time-out is charged to a team;

2. Intermission between third and fourth quarter;

3. Anytime officials determine it is necessary for safety reasons.

Georgia:
End of half with 40+ lead, losing coach must agree to mercy rule. Both 3rd and 4th quarters are shortened to 6 minutes (no running clock)
End 3rd Quarter: 30+ point lead, mandatory mercy rule - 4th quarter shortened to 6 minutes (no running clock)

I wish they'd stick with 8 minute quarters and a running clock. :rolleyes:

We don't have one in Texas (yet), but if anyone were to ask me, I'd put it at:

-- 30 or maybe 35 point lead at any time in the second half; 25 point lead at any time in the fourth quarter;
-- clock only stops for time outs -- called by teams or officials
-- no return to regular clock

In my experience, these things get out of control early and coaches around here are GENERALLY pretty good about keeping the margin about the same if they are ahead by a bunch at the half. I've rarely had a game that suddenly becomes a blowout (25+) in the 3rd or 4th after being reasonably competitive in the first half. Sometimes its the other way around.

I've had one mercy rule game this year. I haven't decided if I like it yet or not.