Mercy Rule

[HLin NC]

the coaches can agree

CAN being the operative word.

As I stated earlier, some coaches want to teach their kids some weird, twisted lesson. Some don't think to mention it. Some are job scared and don't want to show the faithful that they are "giving up". A state mandated rule makes it easy for them and us.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Altor

Why the need for the running clock when one can shorten the game directly? Even in Ohio (where the OP mentioned there's no running clock mercy rule), the coaches can agree to shorten the game or end it at any time. I heard of one game in these parts where they ran 8 minute quarters for the 3rd and 4th a couple weeks ago. If that's not enough, shorten it to 4 minutes or just call the game completely.

We had a game a few seasons ago where the score was 56-0 at halftime. The visiting team had about 16 players and a few were injured in the first half.

EVEN WITH A RUNNING CLOCK, the visiting team wanted to shorten the quarters. The home team coach was annoyed at this and I had to mediate this. Personally, I didn't care one way or the other, but it was an unpleasant thing.

Imagine if we had to deal with this every week just to have a running clock.

I like the running clock rule, but the 35 point margin shouldn't be the only thing that dictates clock mechanics. If a team pulls to 34 with 6 minutes left, the clock should still run.

[voiceoflg]

Originally Posted by Rich

We have a 35 point running clock rule in the second half. Works well, I think. Ours runs during penalty administration, unlike Georgia. And we take full advantage of that, when it feels necessary.

Oh trust me, Georgia doesn't always adhere to it. One game in particular saw one team up 49-0 at half and the losing team was very undisciplined. The middle linebacker led the region in personal fouls and we knew he had one for this game coming. Sure enough before the snap in the 3rd quarter he blitzed in, left his feet and launched himself helmet first into the shoulder of the quarterback. Everyone kept their cool then and he was the only one ejected, but it did get chippy afterward. The game clock kept running the whole time, even as the white hat made the thumb motion. I'm glad it did. That game needed ending fast.

[Robert Goodman]

Since a team is allowed to forfeit at any time, why is a TKO necessary? Is it just supposed to be a face saver for the coaches for their players? "I'd've liked to have subbed you in, but we ran out of time."

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

Since a team is allowed to forfeit at any time, why is a TKO necessary? Is it just supposed to be a face saver for the coaches for their players? "I'd've liked to have subbed you in, but we ran out of time."

How long do you think a coach who forfeited a game would last. Seriously. You've outdone yourself here. I don't believe any team is "allowed", as far as their district or school is concerned, to forfeit "at any time."

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

Since a team is allowed to forfeit at any time, why is a TKO necessary? Is it just supposed to be a face saver for the coaches for their players? "I'd've liked to have subbed you in, but we ran out of time."

I had a coach do this in basketball once. He got suspended by the state for two games.

[APG]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

Since a team is allowed to forfeit at any time, why is a TKO necessary? Is it just supposed to be a face saver for the coaches for their players? "I'd've liked to have subbed you in, but we ran out of time."

Come on, you should know this. Sure a coach can forfeit a game...as an official, I have no power to stop him. A little more paperwork for me is all that will result. But the coach has people to answer to and unless there are outstanding circumstances, it's highly frowned upon to forfeit...which is usually met with suspension to the coach.

[JRutledge]

We have a 40 point rule in the second half. The clock runs the entire time in the second half until a score, a time out, and injury timeout. Game goes by really fast at that point. Once you ring the bell, you cannot go back to a normal clock.

Peace

[Rich]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

We have a 40 point rule in the second half. The clock runs the entire time in the second half until a score, a time out, and injury timeout. Game goes by really fast at that point. Once you ring the bell, you cannot go back to a normal clock.

Peace

And this is a great piece I wish we'd add. Closing the gap to 34 points in the middle of the fourth quarter shouldn't make the clock stop as usual.

[Scuba_ref]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

We have a 40 point rule in the second half. The clock runs the entire time in the second half until a score, a time out, and injury timeout. Game goes by really fast at that point. Once you ring the bell, you cannot go back to a normal clock.

Peace

Washington State has the same procedure in place!

[Texas Aggie]

In Texas, at Varsity, I've never seen or heard of a game shortened or a running clock instituted

Its actually happened (running clock, mostly) quite a bit over the years, at all levels, including 5A. Now TAPPS has their 40 point clock running rule for the second half. We had it in a game earlier this year and also ran the clock in 2 other V games.

[REFANDUMP]

In South Dakota we have a running clock if the lead goes over 35 points in the second half (cannot go back to a standard clock) and game over if the lead reaches 50 in the second half. Works well here. They don't use this in our top division, though.

[JasonTX]

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

Its actually happened (running clock, mostly) quite a bit over the years, at all levels, including 5A. Now TAPPS has their 40 point clock running rule for the second half. We had it in a game earlier this year and also ran the clock in 2 other V games.

Not my game, but a crew in my chapter were informed by both coaches that they agreed to shorten the periods to 8 mins. to begin the third period. The sad thing is, the losing coach actually requested to have a running clock before the game even began.