Stop the clock?

[GPC2]

Originally Posted by RoyGardner

"While all agreed that the covering officials must be in place, a few of them said that the game clock should be stopped to allow the officials to get in proper position..."

If you are following your normal timing between downs (which as JasonTX notes we should always be doing), and the ONLY reason you are not ready after both teams are in position to run play, is that officials are not in place, IMO we stop clock, get in position, and then give RFP w/wind.


Also, if we are in a situation (which I believe is described here) where for some number of seconds we are attempting to decide who actually has possession, then IMO the clock should be stopped until that decision is made. But, as stated previously, the key should be consistent timing on the RFP after each play throughout the game.

Roy,
there really wasn't much time elapsed because the R pretty much immediately signaled that the QB was down - I probably shouldn't have muddied up the scenario with that statement, but I guess I mentioned it because the BJ stated that that was one of the reasons why he was confused and didn't get under quickly enough.

But to clarify, in your opinion you think the game clock should be stopped? Do you not feel that A would be getting an unfair advantage?

[Theisey]

Stop the clock? absolutely not.
This will give team-A an advantage they do not deserve.
In a 5-man game, there already should be an official near enough to the posts to cover a kick even alone if need be.
In a 4-man game, we would only have one official at the post and it's his job to know the situation and be on his horse about the time the last play ended.
Stop the Clock... NO.

[RoyGardner]

The key here is really the consistency of the RFP timing between plays. If for whatever the reason, we need to delay the RFP from our "standard" timing, then we should charge the "extra time" as an official's timeout and not allow that "extended delay" between RFP's to allow the clock to run out. If the only reason that we're not in position to judge the FG is due to some confusion among the crew (as I believe we have described here), and we're going to exceed our normal "between plays" time then IMO official's timeout.

[RonRef]

Originally Posted by RoyGardner

The key here is really the consistency of the RFP timing between plays. If for whatever the reason, we need to delay the RFP from our "standard" timing, then we should charge the "extra time" as an official's timeout and not allow that "extended delay" between RFP's to allow the clock to run out. If the only reason that we're not in position to judge the FG is due to some confusion among the crew (as I believe we have described here), and we're going to exceed our normal "between plays" time then IMO official's timeout.

IMO we should not stop the clock in this situation, and we must wait for our fellow crewmates to get into proper position to officiate the FG. The rules allow them 3 TO per half and they may also spike the ball or throw an incomplete pass to stop the clock. The coach of the offensive team knew the risks of running an additional play in this situation and he gamble back fired. This is a coaching error and some of us think we should stop the clock to let them try a FG since we didn't get our official under the GP in 5 seconds...not in my game. Let’s not penalize the defensive team for sacking the QB and making a good play.

[RoyGardner]

"Due to the semi-confusion about the possible fumble, I (HL) was not in position on the line, and neither the BJ nor the LJ were in position under the goal posts."

If we're keeping consistent timing between plays and as described in the original post the delay in getting the officials into their proper locations to cover a FG was due to "semi-confusion about the possible fumble" then IMO we should be calling an official's TO. If there was enough time for A & B to substitute and line up, then we should avoid the confusion, call a OTO, and move on.

[JasonTX]

Originally Posted by RonRef

IMO we should not stop the clock in this situation, and we must wait for our fellow crewmates to get into proper position to officiate the FG. The rules allow them 3 TO per half and they may also spike the ball or throw an incomplete pass to stop the clock. The coach of the offensive team knew the risks of running an additional play in this situation and he gamble back fired. This is a coaching error and some of us think we should stop the clock to let them try a FG since we didn't get our official under the GP in 5 seconds...not in my game. Let’s not penalize the defensive team for sacking the QB and making a good play.

Perhaps the best response to this thread. I agree.

[Jim D]

A has the right to get the play off and, in this case, proved that they could, so stopping the clock would not give them an unfair advantage (I realize this is hindsight). To have the U stand over the ball and not have a RFP would be unfair to A.

Now the next question is, if A is likely to get the kick off, how bad do we want to be in position to rule on the kick? I'm not talking about if the guys should have been in position, it was evident to the R that they weren't and the kick is immanent.

Stopping the clock will give A a small advantage but it is the better option here to ensure proper coverage. It's the same priciple as stopping the clock to let players unpile or to retreive the ball.

[RonRef]

Originally Posted by Jim D

A has the right to get the play off and, in this case, proved that they could, so stopping the clock would not give them an unfair advantage (I realize this is hindsight). To have the U stand over the ball and not have a RFP would be unfair to A.

Now the next question is, if A is likely to get the kick off, how bad do we want to be in position to rule on the kick? I'm not talking about if the guys should have been in position, it was evident to the R that they weren't and the kick is immanent.

Stopping the clock will give A a small advantage but it is the better option here to ensure proper coverage. It's the same priciple as stopping the clock to let players unpile or to retreive the ball.

The original post says they (HL and BJ) were not under the GP when the ball was kicked, call me crazy but during a FG it helps to have officials under the GP. What is the avg. time between plays? I thought I read some where that the BIG 10 was at anywhere from 12-16 seconds on avg.

[Jim D]

Originally Posted by RonRef

The original post says they (HL and BJ) were not under the GP when the ball was kicked, call me crazy but during a FG it helps to have officials under the GP. What is the avg. time between plays? I thought I read some where that the BIG 10 was at anywhere from 12-16 seconds on avg.

I agree it helps to be in proper position - that's why I'd stop the clock until they got there. The "problem" in this play is not with A - they can get the play off (and did) nor with B. It's making sure the officials are ready. There are three choices - 1) let A kick with the crew out of position; 2) Don't let A kick (hold up RFP) or 3) Stop the clock, get in position and then let A go.

I don't like 1 because the crew could miss the call and I don't like 2 because it denies A a shot at a score that they can (and did) have. In this particular play, I think 3 is the best option.

PS - Even in a hurry up, we should work at a reasonable pace. We don't need to throw players off of a pile or fling the ball all over just to help A. But if, using our proper pacing, everyone else is ready but the BJ & LJ, then I think it's best to stop and let them get in position.

[JasonTX]

We've pretty much beat this one to a pulp. You guys may do things differently in Fed, but NCAA has a rule that is specific on this issue. If you've been keeping a good pace throughout the game and then all of a sudden the last play of the game you frantically rush because time is running out, then you didn't follow what the rules says below about being consistent.

Rule 3-4-2-a: The ball shall be declared ready for play consistently
throughout the game by the referee when the officials are in position.
Consuming more than 25 seconds to put the ball in play after it is
declared ready for play is an illegal delay.