Untimed Down

[ajmc]

Invariably these situations tend to cause some level of confusion. It can be extremely helpful in minimizing that confusion, when the explanation regarding whatever pwnalty has been called, includes the timing ramifications and the prodedure for an "untimed down" if one becomes necessary.

Since field clocks have been available, our chapter requires whenever a field clock is operated during (any level) contest, it is operated only by a certified member official, who is fully dressed and considered a member of the game officiating crew. If a field clock being used becomes inoperable, the Referee will decide whether the timer will assume a field official's position, and continue to keep the game time on the field, or the timer will position himself off the field along the sideline and maintain the time.

Whenever the official time is kept on the field, or along a sideline, the field clock will NOT operate as an unofficial timepiece. This practice has been very beneficial in minimizing problems, or disputes, related to game timing issues.

[Suudy]

Originally Posted by ajmc

Since field clocks have been available, our chapter requires whenever a field clock is operated during (any level) contest, it is operated only by a certified member official, who is fully dressed and considered a member of the game officiating crew.

Ah, wouldn't that be nice! We are lucky to have enough guys to field 5 men crews for the big schools. The smaller schools (and the 8-men teams) only get 4. And we never have subs available, so if someone goes down....

We never actually meet the clock guys, since most of them are old timers that have been doing it for 20+ years. They know the routine. But sometimes, you get a sub or a new guy. But it is a good idea to get them down to the field. I've done the chains at college games, and both clock operators (game clock and the play clock) are there with us to meet with the HL. Unfortunately, I imagine some resistance to this were we to attempt it. I'm in eastern WA, in small farm towns, and these are the kind of guys that are not too keen on change.