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.