Sideline Warning (under 2 minutes)

[Illini_Ref]

Second quarter. 1:30 on the clock.

Team A runs the ball and is short of the first down. A1 is tackled inbounds. During the play, the head coach of Team B is flagged for, and given, a sideline warning.

Can Team A choose to start the clock on the snap?

Why or why not?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Illini_Ref

Second quarter. 1:30 on the clock.

Team A runs the ball and is short of the first down. A1 is tackled inbounds. During the play, the head coach of Team B is flagged for, and given, a sideline warning.

Can Team A choose to start the clock on the snap?

Why or why not?

I would say no. Nothing about a SW has anything to do with the clock stopping other than to apply the penalty of the warning. If you would have continued the clock running, you start it on the ready. If the clock was stopped, you start it on the snap.

Peace

[CT1]

I believe they do have the option. Here's why:

Team A leads by 2 with 40 seconds remaining in the game & the clock running. B is out of timeouts. With 5 seconds remaining on the play clock, A's coach steps into the restricted area, shouts to his QB, and is flagged for a SW.

If we restart the clock after this warning, Team A can end the game without having to snap the ball, and has gained an advantage not intended by the rules.

[VA Official]

Originally Posted by CT1

I believe they do have the option. Here's why:

Team A leads by 2 with 40 seconds remaining in the game & the clock running. B is out of timeouts. With 5 seconds remaining on the play clock, A's coach steps into the restricted area, shouts to his QB, and is flagged for a SW.

If we restart the clock after this warning, Team A can end the game without having to snap the ball, and has gained an advantage not intended by the rules.

I agree. A sideline warning is a foul and the penalty prescribed for the first offense is a warning. The penalty is accepted without inquiry because it is of no consequence and doesn't change anything for either team whether it's accepted or declined. So an accepted penalty means 2 minute options for the offended team. This isn't clearly defined and is definitely a gray area, so consulting a state interpreter is a good idea. For Virginia, our interpreter has ruled that the offended team is awarded the timing option. Other states may obviously differ.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by VA Official

I agree. A sideline warning is a foul and the penalty prescribed for the first offense is a warning. The penalty is accepted without inquiry because it is of no consequence and doesn't change anything for either team whether it's accepted or declined. So an accepted penalty means 2 minute options for the offended team. This isn't clearly defined and is definitely a gray area, so consulting a state interpreter is a good idea. For Virginia, our interpreter has ruled that the offended team is awarded the timing option. Other states may obviously differ.

It's a valid reason for starting it. I'm running the play by our state supervisor for a ruling in my state.

[Hand Signals]

Our State Interpreter has agreed it does qualify, and the offended team does get the option.

[jTheUmp]

Originally Posted by CT1

I believe they do have the option. Here's why:

Team A leads by 2 with 40 seconds remaining in the game & the clock running. B is out of timeouts. With 5 seconds remaining on the play clock, A's coach steps into the restricted area, shouts to his QB, and is flagged for a SW.

If we restart the clock after this warning, Team A can end the game without having to snap the ball, and has gained an advantage not intended by the rules.

Couldn't you just start the clock on the snap anyway under the "team attempting to consume time illegally" provision? That's what I'd have done last year in this situation.

[SE Minnestoa Re]

Originally Posted by jTheUmp

Couldn't you just start the clock on the snap anyway under the "team attempting to consume time illegally" provision? That's what I'd have done last year in this situation.

I think some white hats would not do that. I am sure that is why there is now a rule.

[JRutledge]

I think many of you are making a stretch out of this rule. The rule IMO was not designed for an SLW as the penalty for that is only a warning and no yardage. It has no other consequence and never did. It was not like an illegal forward pass or a false start. I would not give that option at all in this situation unless I had direct guidance to do so. And I have not been given any such guidance.

Peace