Mercy Rule

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by bigjohn

I meant shortening the quarters.

Then I agree with you. I can think of no actual "emergency" that would result in the officials or coaches wanting to just shorten the quarters.

Many states have unofficial mercy rules, especially at subV. In Texas, at Varsity, I've never seen or heard of a game shortened or a running clock instituted (exception for 6-man)... but have been involved in numerous subV games where the clock ran in the 4th quarter or even 2nd half.

[voiceoflg]

In Georgia the mercy rule is as follows:

At the end of the first half of play, if a team is trailing by 30 points or more, the coach of the trailing team may choose to play the second half with a running clock. Quarters would remain at 12 minutes.

If the coach does not exercise the option of the running clock, the third quarter will be played with regulation timing.

If the point differential reaches, or remains, 30 or more points during the third quarter, the clock will still run according to rule for the remainder of the third quarter, but the fourth quarter will have a running clock mandated.

A running clock means the clock will be stopped only: (a) after a score and until the ball is kicked off. (b) during deliberations for penalty administration. (c) during charged timeouts or official's timeouts.

A game that is reduced in time by use of a running clock shall constitute a "completed" game to meet other by-law considerations.


The leading coach has no say so. Personally I don't like the running clock in the third quarter. It really limits the snaps the younger kids get.

[parepat]

[QUOTE=voiceoflg;858865]In Georgia the mercy rule is as follows:

At the end of the first half of play, if a team is trailing by 30 points or more, the coach of the trailing team may choose to play the second half with a running clock. Quarters would remain at 12 minutes.

If the coach does not exercise the option of the running clock, the third quarter will be played with regulation timing.

If the point differential reaches, or remains, 30 or more points during the third quarter, the clock will still run according to rule for the remainder of the third quarter, but the fourth quarter will have a running clock mandated.

A running clock means the clock will be stopped only: (a) after a score and until the ball is kicked off. (b) during deliberations for penalty administration. (c) during charged timeouts or official's timeouts.

This is a good rule. I like that it gives the option to the losing coach. As stated in Ohio, there is no running clock, only shortening quarters. This almost never occurs because the coaches egos won't allow it. A running clock, on the other hand, is less offensive to them because they can fluff the blame onto us. I'm okay with that. As it stands now, nothing happens and we deal with these blowouts and all that goes with them.

[Eastshire]

Originally Posted by parepat

This is a good rule. I like that it gives the option to the losing coach. As stated in Ohio, there is no running clock, only shortening quarters. This almost never occurs because the coaches egos won't allow it. A running clock, on the other hand, is less offensive to them because they can fluff the blame onto us. I'm okay with that. As it stands now, nothing happens and we deal with these blowouts and all that goes with them.

The local HS here in NW Ohio had a running clock for the entire second half Friday. 40 point half-time lead.

[maven]

Originally Posted by Eastshire

The local HS here in NW Ohio had a running clock for the entire second half Friday. 40 point half-time lead.

And people scoff at the Gold Book. As goofy as some of its provisions might be, I applaud the effort to improve consistency across the state.

[parepat]

Originally Posted by maven

And people scoff at the Gold Book. As goofy as some of its provisions might be, I applaud the effort to improve consistency across the state.

Maybe a noble goal. However, the heavy handed way it was implemented was, in my opinion, unprofessional.

[maven]

Originally Posted by parepat

Maybe a noble goal. However, the heavy handed way it was implemented was, in my opinion, unprofessional.

The folks in my association who complained about Maurer being "heavy handed" are the same ones who haven't peeked at a book in 30 years. Their egos mostly have prevented them from adopting any standardized mechanics. Nobody's going to tell them how to officiate!

I don't know you, parepat, and would not presume to paint you with the same brush. Still, it hardly seems "heavy handed" to me: what's the penalty for ignoring the state? Losing playoff games? When 90% of officials don't get playoff games anyway?

[parepat]

Originally Posted by Eastshire

The local HS here in NW Ohio had a running clock for the entire second half Friday. 40 point half-time lead.

Sounds like we have some wayward rebels on our hands. WHat's next, pink whistles?

[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.

[SE Minnestoa Re]

Minnesota has a mercy rule at 35 points in the 4th quarter. A few weeks ago we had a game that was 66-6 at half. At halftime, the losing coach asked what we could do to get his team on the bus. Both coaches agreed to a no-stop clock for the entire second half.

Small schools with limited bench players need extra protection in these games when compared to a Twin City school with 90 kids on the sidelines. As a referee, I think my most important duty is to keep the players safe.

[csb1971]

Colorado's mercy rule is a running clock once the differential hits 40 points (45 in 6-man) regardless of when that mark is hit. I've worked a couple of subvarsity games this year where it was still in the 2nd quarter and the winning team got it above 40. Made for a really quick 2nd half. I see both sides to it. It does limit playing time for the kids, but I also know that many of the kids on the short end of the score would rather just be done with it, especially if they are just getting clobbered.

[Canned Heat]

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.

Agreed, Rich....don't know about you, but more than half of our games this year here were running clock at some point in the second half.

I may be the minority in this, but I can't envision why every state doesn't have this adopted....even if it's more than the 35 points.

[maven]

Originally Posted by Canned Heat

I may be the minority in this, but I can't envision why every state doesn't have this adopted....even if it's more than the 35 points.

Oh, that's an easy one: if a state doesn't have it, then the coaches voted it down.

It certainly wasn't the officials!

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Canned Heat

Agreed, Rich....don't know about you, but more than half of our games this year here were running clock at some point in the second half.

I may be the minority in this, but I can't envision why every state doesn't have this adopted....even if it's more than the 35 points.

We had quite a few. The most frustrating game we had was a 57-31 masterpiece that got to 34 points in the third quarter and never got closer than the 26 point final margin. The game ran 2:55 and we ended up with at least 4 UNRs and one UNS in the fourth quarter.

Only one game left (actually 2 as we're working a game between two 1-7 teams tonight), so we'll see how that one goes.

[Altor]

Originally Posted by Canned Heat

I may be the minority in this, but I can't envision why every state doesn't have this adopted....even if it's more than the 35 points.

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.