Mercy Rule
 

Rule 5-5-3
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> Rule 5 Section 5 ART. 3 ... A quarter(s) may be shortened in an emergency or at any time by mutual agreement of the opposing coaches and referee. Playing time and number of quarters for nonvarsity game quarters may be reduced by mutual agreement of opposing coaches.
NOTE: A state association by adoption may institute a running clock when a specified point differential is reached at a specified time in the game.


Does anyone officiate in an area or state that has a Running Clock adoption? If so what is the rule/procedure?

I am talking HS, specifically Varsity Games

In FL, if a team gets a 35 point lead in the second half, the clock is running. It only stops for time-outs and the end of the quarter. Sometimes, like last night, time run out before a kid shoots FTs. Since they will make no difference in the game, they are not shot. And a team getting the margin UNDER 35 has no bearing on the running clock.

If AZ had this rule, it would have saved the forum from having an extra thread.:D

Here it is 35 point spread in the 4th quarter - clock only stops on time outs and injuries. Once one team gets ahead by 35, the clock continues to run even if it gets closer than 35 at any point in the quarter

WA State has a 40 point mercy rule in the second half. Seen it three times this season.

CO has it for conference adoption; 35 points in the 2nd half. Not sure if it's only available for JV, but around here it's only used at the JV level.

I think all mercy rules go into effect only in the second half so the chances of this happening are slim, but has anyone had a team come back and make a game competitive after the running clock takes place? From what I understand, once the mercy rule is a go you can't go back. This true?

I could see a coach getting real upset if his team was storming back, but couldn't get the clock to stop during dead balls.

In some areas, it's reversible. I think here, if it drops back below 35, it stops again as usual.

I have had AAU tournaments with 30 points as the margin and if the trailing team got within 20, it would stop the running clock. Never have seen it happen. Ever do those drills under the basket when you get a minute to see how many bunnies you could put in? It would be easier to close a gap if that was allowed, but it isn't, so 25-28 is the most common margin I have seen the gap narrowed to once the clock starts running. Especially if there are only 6 minutes left in the game like last night's contest.

In Montana the mercy rule is 40 points in the second half. Clock runs regardless of the score being less than 40 after it starts. Have seen it several times. Even had a team from a neighboring state that liked the rule as they had lost 80 - 8.

also stops on shooting fouls

...once the official has REPORTED the foul to the table.

In Missouri, the clock continues to run during the 4th quarter when one team is leading by 30 or more points. It does stop for timeouts, injured players, technical foul administration, and the occasional free throw if time will expire during said free throw (not an official state adoption but routinely practiced by officiating crews and timekeepers).

That probably varies by state.

Doesn't stop here for fouls. Injuries, which I omitted in an earlier post, would be cause to stop the clock.