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.

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.