Timing at end of game

[ljudge]

Ed, if A purposely unbuckles his chin strap the rules definitely cover that which is delay of game. It's failure to wear requirement as the ball is about to become live. This is in the rule book. Signal 7 - 21 - 23 (I'm going from memory here and I believe that's the proper orders and numbers - it's definitely 3 signals)

All 1.1.6 does is cover a situation that's not specifically covered in the rules. So, in this case A would have normally had to snap the ball but because of a legitimate equipment problem you would be letting A win the game by using normal timing rules, which we all agree (I think) wouldn't be very fair. Yes, I'm kind of speaking with a forked-tongue here because that's exactly what you would do in the middle of the quarter. (ie: use normal timing rules).

I think you need to pick the best of the worst options which is either 2 or 3 (and I would probably lean toward 3 the more I think about it). Player safety must come first and by putting the clock back the way it was is probably the best of a bad bunch of options.

[Ed Hickland]

Originally posted by ljudge
Ed, if A purposely unbuckles his chin strap the rules definitely cover that which is delay of game. It's failure to wear requirement as the ball is about to become live. This is in the rule book. Signal 7 - 21 - 23 (I'm going from memory here and I believe that's the proper orders and numbers - it's definitely 3 signals)

Yes, 5 yard penalty and the game cannot end on a penalty, A has to snap the ball.

All 1.1.6 does is cover a situation that's not specifically covered in the rules. So, in this case A would have normally had to snap the ball but because of a legitimate equipment problem you would be letting A win the game by using normal timing rules, which we all agree (I think) wouldn't be very fair. Yes, I'm kind of speaking with a forked-tongue here because that's exactly what you would do in the middle of the quarter. (ie: use normal timing rules).

I think you need to pick the best of the worst options which is either 2 or 3 (and I would probably lean toward 3 the more I think about it). Player safety must come first and by putting the clock back the way it was is probably the best of a bad bunch of options.

It is semantics but 1-1-6 is nothing more than a definition, 9-5-1 covers unsportsmanlike acts by players. I prefer the unstructured nature of 9-9-3 but it is immaterial and really applies to the situation.

More than likely if A has a lead with 25 seconds if they are smart it is time to take a knee and you protect the player under the snapper. If they decide to try to get around the rules with the chin strap thing that is both unsportsmanlike and makes a travesty of the game.

What if A is on their own 3-yard line when the chin strap is unbuckled? Versus on B's 3-yard line. You might handle it differently. If A is deep in their own territory they want to do whatever is possible to not take a snap for fear of B getting an opportunity to win.

As officials we have to pay attention to the score and the time.

[AndrewMcCarthy]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Ed Hickland

Yes, 5 yard penalty and the game cannot end on a penalty, A has to snap the ball.

Careful, Ed!!

This wouldn't be a foul during the last timed down of the period.

The dead-ball 5 yard penalty would be for delay of game and that would cause us to start the clock on the snap (if accepted).