Delay of Game?

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by OKREF

So, last night. Kickoff slated for 7:00. Visiting team is on the field with about 3 minutes left on pregame clock. Clock runs out, nome team on field yet. Visiting team huddles and gets kickoff team ready, about 3 minutes pass by and no home team. Visitors ask for a delay of game penalty. Home team finally runs through their spirit line, then huddles up kick receiving team on sideline. White gives two warning whistles. Should we have had a delay penalty?



3-6-3 says a team shall be ready to play within 2 minutes after being ordered to do so by the referee. Would this apply? The penalty for this is a forfeit. Any thoughts

It's not clear to me that any of 3-6 applies until the game has begun. I think it's up to league rules as to whether there'd be any sanction or not, or what kind, but I think it's outside officials' jurisdiction under the playing rules, although there might be something in the officials' manual on it. The rules say when the officials' jurisdiction ends, though not when it begins, so I take it that the game, and any results of the game, begins when it begins.