Time limit for NCAA field goals?

[brainbrian]

Is there a maximum amount of time that can run off the game clock on NCAA field goal plays that are "normal," meaning not blocked and returned or any of that funny business?

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

Years ago I heard that there was a standard number of seconds that could elapse on fields goals, and possibly based on distance.

Did I hear correctly, is this still true, and what are these values/distances?

Originally Posted by Sonofanump

We (NCAA) use 5 seconds at any distance.

Originally Posted by brainbrian

Is there a maximum amount of time that can run off the game clock on NCAA field goal plays that are "normal," meaning not blocked and returned or any of that funny business?

Answer above; NFL field goals.

[voiceoflg]

Maybe a silly question but why not use the actual time from when the ball is snapped until the time the ball crosses the crossbar or goes OOB?

[jchamp]

Originally Posted by voiceoflg

Maybe a silly question but why not use the actual time from when the ball is snapped until the time the ball crosses the crossbar or goes OOB?

We're not playing Madden 20-whatever. So the clock operator doesn't have an electrical signal to know when the precise moment is that he should flip the switch.
Even though it's not codified, it's good to know, for strategic planning at a part of the game when literally, every second counts, what expectations exist. It's well known that a second or two will tick off the clock when a dead ball occurs due to an incomplete pass, score, etc. occurs. And "normal" field goals do have a predictable flight time.
If the losing coach sees that 46 seconds are on the clock when the 3rd down play ends, he can expect to receive a kickoff. With 45 seconds, he knows to take risks on the field goal... and all those other minutia.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by jchamp

We're not playing Madden 20-whatever. So the clock operator doesn't have an electrical signal to know when the precise moment is that he should flip the switch.

Why can't he stop it on the whistle, like he does any other time?

[jchamp]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

Why can't he stop it on the whistle, like he does any other time?

This also isn't basketball where every whistle causes the clock to stop (hence the electronic gadget that officials wear which stops the clock whenever it hears a whistle).

The clock only stops when the WH or a covering official makes a signal that kills the clock. Then the clock operator, who is in a booth probably about 300 feet away, has to observe that signal, ensure it IS indeed a signal that kills the clock, and flip his switch. He doesn't anticipate signals. And stopping a clock at 0:00.3 is a very quick way to earn the ire of an association.

It's just the culture of the game in these parts. George Carlin was wrong, BASKETBALL is rigidly timed. Football is loosely timed.

[HLin NC]

He doesn't anticipate signals.

I can think of one HS where he does

[jchamp]

Originally Posted by HLin NC

I can think of one HS where he does

Maybe I should have said "He shouldn't anticipate signals."

I also don't think that football should ever use 0.1 second clocks. You either have a second, or you don't. A play can't begin and end in less than a second, so there's no point to ever have the 0.1 second indicator. Knowing whether you have 35.0 or 35.9 second remaining in the game/quarter/half isn't really helpful and only serves to stir up trouble.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by jchamp

The clock only stops when the WH or a covering official makes a signal that kills the clock.

Really? On a successful or unsuccessful field goal you're saying the *signal* stops the clock? I'd take issue with that, myself.

[Eastshire]

Originally Posted by Rich

Really? On a successful or unsuccessful field goal you're saying the *signal* stops the clock? I'd take issue with that, myself.

I'm a soccer referee. I think the clock stops in football when the ball crosses the goal line, right? At any rate, the ECO is in a terrible position to determine when that happens. As any soccer assistant referee can tell you, a step off the offside line makes a huge difference. The ECO is ~ 50 yards of the line he is judging.

That's not to say he needs a signal in this case but rather support for the 5 sec expectation.

[Sonofanump]

Originally Posted by Eastshire

I'm a soccer referee. I think the clock stops in football when the ball crosses the goal line, right?

In NCAA it is when the ball touches in the endzone untouched.

Philosophy is 5 secs.