Mercy Rule

[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.