Mercy Rule

[agr8zebra]

Rule 5-5-3
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?

[agr8zebra]

I am talking HS, specifically Varsity Games

[RobbyinTN]

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

[rockyroad]

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

[Adam]

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.

[Ptflea2]

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.

[midtnblu]

Originally Posted by RobbyinTN

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

also stops on shooting fouls

[RookieDude]

Originally Posted by midtnblu

also stops on shooting fouls

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

[whistleone]

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).

[Adam]

Originally Posted by RookieDude

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

That probably varies by state.

[chseagle]

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.

Originally Posted by RookieDude

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

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by RobbyinTN

Here it is 35 point spread in the 4th quarter - clock only stops on time outs and injuries.

Isn't there a timeout for an injury?

[agr8zebra]

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.

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by agr8zebra

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.

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

[26 Year Gap]

Originally Posted by agr8zebra

Rule 5-5-3
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?

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.