At the end of the first half you don't have enough time to "set" properly, so the center just snaps the ball with nobody being set long enough.

sorry i missed this important point the first time...
you score a T.D.

Flags fly.

Do you get another play? ... in effect an extension of the clock?

[Edited by wrb on Oct 25th, 2002 at 04:22 PM]

Hopefully, our crew has properly enforced this in the past when faced with similar situation.
Upon the clock running out to end the half, defense has two choices, they can take the results of the play (which you did not state)and the half is over, unless it was a TD, and then there must be one untimed for P.A.T.; or they can accept the penalty. If they accept the per Fed. Rule 3-3-3a, A period must be extended by an untimed down if during the last timed down, one of the following occurs:
a. There was a foul, other than unsportsmanlike or non-player, by either team and the penalty is accepted.

Sounds like a shift violation...
 

Don has it correct.

This would be a live ball foul. B can decline the penalty and accept the results of the play. If time expired during the down the period is over.

Or B can accept the penalty and replay the down.

Remember PATIO. Extend the period for an untimed down when:

PA Penalty is accepted
T Touchdown, for the Try
I Inadvertent whistle
O Offsetting (double)fouls

Under 3-6-3 the referee has the authority to either stop or start the clock if in his judgement a team is attempting to conserve or consume time illegally.

Chances are the play would have never legally occurred without the penalty, therefore, A has crafted a method to get the last play in if B accepts the penalty.

Consider, A is trailing by 2 points with three seconds and the ball is at B's 15. The field goal kicker has a range of 30 yards. If they take a five yard penalty he is still within range. But how do you stop the clock and get him on the field. Commit a penalty with the hope B accepts. Even if B declines, the clock is stopped and the kicker has a chance to come on the field leaving A an opportunity to snap the ball for a field goal attempt.

That is where the referee under 3-6-3 ends the period.

Funny. We had this situation happen to us two Fridays ago, except it was 24-21 at the end of the game. The losing team had the ball at the 2 yard line with no time outs. And thought they could run two plays with about 14 seconds left and still run a spike play and kick the field goal to send it to OT. We had the live ball illegal shift, as time ran out. Defense declined the penalty, game over. The losing team said that there was still 2 seconds left on the clock. My Back Judge saw 00:00 when the whistles sounded. We needed an escort to the locker room and also an escort to our vehicles because a lynch mob was waiting fo rus in the parking lot. the losing coach did however come to our locker room and apologized for the way he acted and said that after thinking about it, we made the correct call.

Question? what if time doesn't expire? What if my mayday fieldgoal unit runs on the field and grabs the ball and fakes a snap to get a false start to stop the clock with 4 seconds left...as opposed to the time running out...then we are all set whether or not white hat runs clock or not?

is this unsportsmanlike or ok?

That is a good question. I do beleive there is a provision in the rule book that addresses performing acts to intentionally conserve time, but I don't know if this would fall under that or not. And of course, I don't have my rulebook handy. IF my boss caught me with it, I probably would be out of a job.

if set for a count play is good
 

If there is 4 seconds left I think you could get the field goal attempt off. When the white gives the ready for play and everybody is set you should be alright.

When I played college football we had this similar play in case we were out of TOs. We would get set and O lineman would jump offsides. As the stripes walked off the penalty everybody got set and when Ref gave ready and the clock started we snapped kicked the FG and went into half with 3 points on the board.

So, under this rule, a team that is at the fifty yard line with a fourth and thirty to go with two minutes left in the half, can`t just have someone move before the snap and take the five yard penalty, let the ref restart the clock, let it run down and do it again until there is no time left, so they don`t have to punt and give the other team a chance to score?
This is assuming that the clock was still running after the third down play, as in a QB sack.

There are rules to cover the situation you mentioned.

Rule 9-9-3 gives the referee if he so opines an act or acts are committed that make a travesty of the game to award whatever penalty he deems equitable and that could include a score.

The ref can award a score ???!!

No, you would not be able to run out the clock as you have described. In addition to 9-9-3 as Ed mentioned above you might want to take a look at 3-4-3h. ...The clock shall start with the snap or when any free kick is touched, other that first touching, if the clock was stopped because: h. A team attempts to consume time illegally.

Based on 3-4-3h and 9-9-3, any White Hat worth his salt would see to it that THE CLOCK WOULD BE STOPPED AND won't start until you SNAP THE BALL!

I have never personally awarded a score however I know of a situation where it happened.
On a third and short situation quarterback A1 throws a pass to uncovered A5 near the opponents sideline. A5 breaks one and when he crosses the B40 yard line the nearest B player is 15 yards behind him and that B player is losing ground. Non-player B12 comes off the sidline and tackles A5. The officials gather a determine that if it had not been for the action by B12, A5 would have scored the touchdown.
Ruling - Touchdown for A

While it is rare, it can and has happened!