NFHS Untimed Down
 

Fourth quarter, tie score, Team A is driving deep in B territory with no timeouts left.

Runner A34 is downed inbounds at the B 10 yard line with :01 left. B47 is quilty of a facemask foul. A accepts the penalty. The clock stops for the officials to administer the penalty. Walkoff to the B 5 yard line.

Since the down ended inbounds, the clock starts on the ready for play. The clock winds down to :00 with team A failing to get a play off in time.

What happens next? Do you allow an untimed down?

NFHS rules.

Extended the period.. Like it or not (and I don't).
But the rules say to do this because a foul occurred during the the last timed down and that penalty was accepted.

NFHS 3-3-3

That's one rule code I've committed to memory. The key to this play will be good communication with the coaches and remember to say "Rule 3-3-3" to Team B's coach. It will lend more credibility to your explanation that you know what you're talking about in what will very likely be big controversy for you and Team B.

We had a similar situation in a playoff game. Last play of the 1st quarter, PI on B. March off the yardage and play an untimed down.

The funny thing was the announcer saying over the PA system, "Mr Referee, the 1st quarter is over." Our white hat ignored the announcer. The announcer sounded the buzzer and said again "Mr Referee, the 1st quarter is over."

The coaches knew exactly what was going on. The announcer didn't. And unfortunately, I think the fans thought we were idiots. Sigh....

While this case play foul was not of this type.... don't forget about the LOD change and it's affect on extending a period.

Had a situation similar to this happen two years ago where the PA announcer wanted to give his opinion on something. The white had made it very clear to the head coach that the PA announcer was to do nothing more the rest of the game than give descriptions of the play.