winding the clock
 

i would like to know the correct mechanic on winding the clock after a first down. is the correct for just the referee to wind the clock or for everyone to wind it? i would like to know the correct fed. mechanic.

Do you mean on the RFP? If so, only the R winds.

REPLY: All I can find in the Federation Mechanics Manual (2004-2005 edition) is on pge 19 under "Declaring the ball ready for play." Says there that the R winds the clock if necessary. Doesn't mention the clock for the of\ther officials. However, I would recommend that the official responsible for the game clock (BJ) also wind. It cues the ECO who might be watching him, and it confirms to the R that the clock should run.

Canadian Ruling
 

In Canada, the Referee winds the clock in. Exception: on a kick-off, the official closest to the receiver winds the clock in.

After a first down, the R winds the clock. Bob, I have never seen a BJ do it after a 1st. Even when the chains are brought out and taken off, the R signals RFP and winds it.

Of course, I would also add and repeat what someone else mentioned, on a KO, the one closest to the R would wind.

In my association in Virginia, the R winds the clock and the LJ mirrors the signal.

I know crews in Wisconsin where all five wind.

On my crew, only the white hat (me) winds. It's my job.

I don't know where these odd clock mechanics come from, but the only person who should wind on the RFP is the Referee.

That being said, the official who has responsibility for the game clock may do a secondary wind should he notice that the clock was not properly started by the CO. That could be the LJ in 4 man, BJ in 5 or 7 man and the FJ in 6-man (assuming I remember the details correctly).

Clock operator meetings should clear up who he/she is to be watching out there.

All officials winding on the RFP... that is really absurd.

In the 7-man college games I've seen, the BJ mirrors the R's 'wind the clock' signal with the RFP. That would be the one and only person I could see mirroring it, but I can't really see there is that much advantage to it (other than that this person is "reminded" of clock status--i.e. start on the snap or on the ready). I also agree that it would look kinda silly, IMHO, if all members of the crew wind it.

Could be a conference (Ya do what the super say to do) thing if you seen the BJ winding with the R.

Not in any CCA mechanics manual I've seen nor in any NCAA game I've done using 7-man (CCA) mechanics.

NFHS 3-6-1

"The ball is marked ready for play when, after it has been placed for a down, the referee gives the ready-for-play signal. The 25-second count shall then begin."

In NFHS games, BJ (in 5 man games) should instruct the clock operator to keep his eye on the R when the clock is stopped, for the cue as to when to wind it, whether it is the snap or the RFP. The whole crew winding is a little over the top.