NCAA scrapping game-shortening rules

[voiceoflg]

Per the AJC

The NCAA Rules Committee on Wednesday eliminated the year-old battery of regulations intended to shorten game times, acknowledging that the rules' residual effect — the loss an average 12 plays per game — had unfairly altered the course of play.

Most importantly, the committee restored the old regulation that the game clock starts with snap after a change in possession. Last season, the clock would resume running when the ball was whistled ready for play. Additionally, the clock will not start after a free kick until it is legally touched, unlike the new 2006 rule that stipulated the clock-start when the ball was kicked.

New measures recommended

• Limit the play clock to 15 seconds following a television timeout.

• Kickoffs moved from 35-yard line to 30-yard line.

• Reduced charged team timeouts by 30 seconds.

• Penalties for all kicking team fouls that occur during the kick can be enforced at the end of the run.

• Encourage coaches, officials, game management personnel, media partners to manage the game in a more efficient manner.

• Play clock is started when the ball is handed to the kicker by the umpire on all free kicks.

• Limit instant replay reviews to two minutes to decide to overturn or confirm the ruling on the field.

[Texas Aggie]

Play clock is started when the ball is handed to the kicker by the umpire on all free kicks.

What if they are huddled or not out on the field? Not so big an issue at the college level (where, I realize these rules are aimed), but in the high school games (particularly subvarsity) I do, this may be an issue. Of course, we can always make an exception.

I'm hopeful this means Texas goes back to same year NCAA rules.

[Bob M.]

REPLY: Here's the link to the NCAA press release...

http://www.ncaa.org/wps/portal/!ut/p...cmtee_rls.html

[Theisey]

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

What if they are huddled or not out on the field? Not so big an issue at the college level (where, I realize these rules are aimed), but in the high school games (particularly subvarsity) I do, this may be an issue. Of course, we can always make an exception.

I'm hopeful this means Texas goes back to same year NCAA rules.

Well, what does Texas (or MA) currently do on a free kick with the play clock now? You probably wait for all the officials to signal (arm up) that they are ready and then the R blows the RFP.

I don't see any reason for the two states to not make an exception to this rule just as they do for many other rules. I'm sure TX/MA is not going to move the free kick to the 30. They'll stay where they are today as one of their exceptions.

I like this change at the NCAA level. The officials should be ready as soon as they get to their spot. No need to wait for all that arm signaling up and down the field.

[MJT]

Is this for sure next year? That would be great if it is!

In other news, starting in 2008 the committee approved a 40-second/25-second play clock combination. The committee, reviewing strong support for a 40-second/25-second play from coaches, officials and administrators, approved this move to achieve a more uniform pace of play.

[Texas Aggie]

I must be the only one in the world that thought the timing rules were good. They did cause a problem in Texas HS, but other than that, I think the clock SHOULD start on the kick (except for after a penalty on Team A) and I don't have a problem with the clock starting on the new series, although I think that was the biggest gripe.

I just think it might be better to revisit the incomplete pass and out of bounds stopping the clock and keeping it stopped until the snap. Why not make it like a first down: stop the clock, then wind it on RFP? At least on OOB, keeping the spike rule in place.

[NickelDeuce]

Aggie, that would be great about incomplete passes starting on the ready but what about late in the game when timing is so critical. I don't think you can come back to the ready after an incomplete pass or a runner out of bounds unless you have 2 minute timing rules like the NFL does.

[MJT]

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

I must be the only one in the world that thought the timing rules were good. They did cause a problem in Texas HS, but other than that, I think the clock SHOULD start on the kick (except for after a penalty on Team A) and I don't have a problem with the clock starting on the new series, although I think that was the biggest gripe.

I just think it might be better to revisit the incomplete pass and out of bounds stopping the clock and keeping it stopped until the snap. Why not make it like a first down: stop the clock, then wind it on RFP? At least on OOB, keeping the spike rule in place.

The Penn St. game last year is one reason why starting the clock on the kick had to be changed. NFL timing rules are great, starts on RFP after going OOB's, keeps going on 1st downs, starts on RFP after a penalty,... and they slow it down the last 2 minutes of the 1st half and 4 minutes of the game.