Timing Clarification on scrimmage kicks

[ljudge]

A's ball 4th and 8 on A40. A punts the ball and R runs into the kicker. R catches the ball at the B35 and is immediately tackled.

I believe I made a clock mistake last week on this one. I went on the RFP.

You can argue that we stopped the clock for two reasons. To award B a new series following a legal kick and also to administer a foul. So when the penalty was accepted it was 4th and 3 and I started on the RFP because I didn't actually award the series.

[FootballRef05]

IMO, B was never awarded a new series so I think you were correct in starting on the PFR.

[Theisey]

NFHS: If either team is awarded a new series following a legal kick.
That's the reason to start the clock on the snap and that did not happen.
Starting on the RFP was correct.

[dumbref]

OK, I admit to being confused also. But I was under the impression the clock would start on the snap. Case play 3.4.3 sit E is as close to this play as I can find. There is a legal kick and K is awarded a first down. Does it matter whether the first down is awarded because of the run or a penalty? I’m asking – not arguing.

I am also confused by case play 3.4.3 sit F. There is a fair catch by R, a penalty on K is accepted and the down is replayed. I know fair catch is list under Art4 (stop the clock), but it is not listed as a snap situation in Art 3. Why do we start the clock with the snap?

[Bob M.]

Originally Posted by dumbref

OK, I admit to being confused also. But I was under the impression the clock would start on the snap. Case play 3.4.3 sit E is as close to this play as I can find. There is a legal kick and K is awarded a first down. Does it matter whether the first down is awarded because of the run or a penalty? I’m asking – not arguing.

I am also confused by case play 3.4.3 sit F. There is a fair catch by R, a penalty on K is accepted and the down is replayed. I know fair catch is list under Art4 (stop the clock), but it is not listed as a snap situation in Art 3. Why do we start the clock with the snap?

REPLY: Let's take them one at a time...

In the posted play, it was 4th and 8. The penalty was for running into the kicker. Thus a 5 yard penalty would not give K a first down. That's the difference from your case play.

Your second question...making a fair catch is one of those 'major' clock-stoppers--those where "...the action that caused the down to end also caused the clock to stop." Just like an incomplete pass and a live ball going out of bounds. Hence, start on the snap

[dumbref]

Originally Posted by Bob M.

REPLY: Let's take them one at a time...

In the posted play, it was 4th and 8. The penalty was for running into the kicker. Thus a 5 yard penalty would not give K a first down. That's the difference from your case play.

Your second question...making a fair catch is one of those 'major' clock-stoppers--those where "...the action that caused the down to end also caused the clock to stop." Just like an incomplete pass and a live ball going out of bounds. Hence, start on the snap

1. Miss read - thought it a first

2. Thanks - that what I had deduced but was unsure.

[dumbref]

Originally Posted by Bob M.

REPLY: Let's take them one at a time...

In the posted play, it was 4th and 8. The penalty was for running into the kicker. Thus a 5 yard penalty would not give K a first down. That's the difference from your case play.

Your second question...making a fair catch is one of those 'major' clock-stoppers--those where "...the action that caused the down to end also caused the clock to stop." Just like an incomplete pass and a live ball going out of bounds. Hence, start on the snap

Bob M
3.4.3 sit F lists 3-4-3e as the rule support which makes no sense.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by ljudge

A's ball 4th and 8 on A40. A punts the ball and R runs into the kicker. R catches the ball at the B35 and is immediately tackled.

I believe I made a clock mistake last week on this one. I went on the RFP.

You can argue that we stopped the clock for two reasons. To award B a new series following a legal kick and also to administer a foul. So when the penalty was accepted it was 4th and 3 and I started on the RFP because I didn't actually award the series.

Before the 3-minute warning, all plays have the game clock start on the RFP. (Exception: after a Time Count foul or after a Timeout.)

After the 3-minute warning, the game clock starts on the snap as a penalty was enforced. If the penalty was declined, also on the snap because we had a COP.