Play clock countdown timeout

[RadioBlue]

Curious as to how this should be handled (NFHS). HC for A informs a wing official that they want a timeout when the play clock hits :01. Do you grant that request, or do you deny the request and have the coach call the TO when the play clock shows :01?

[CT1]

Originally Posted by RadioBlue

Curious as to how this should be handled (NFHS). HC for A informs a wing official that they want a timeout when the play clock hits :01. Do you grant that request, or do you deny the request and have the coach call the TO when the play clock shows :01?

"Stand right here, Coach." Then grant the TO when it hits :01. Same thing if it's the QB.

Hopefully the ECO will realize what's about to happen & doesn't get taken by surprise.

[HLin NC]

Last Friday night-

HC- "I'm gonna let it run down and then call timeout."
HLinNC-"ok"
HC- "Can I run it down to 1 second?"
HLinNC- "sure"

Play Clock- "1"
HLinNC- "tweeeet"

[ajmc]

Limiting your opportunity to do ANYTHING to 1 second, is foolish and totally unnecessary.

[jTheUmp]

Originally Posted by ajmc

Limiting your opportunity to do ANYTHING to 1 second, is foolish and totally unnecessary.

Maybe, maybe not. But even if it is foolish and totally unnecessary, who are we to keep coaches from doing it, if they wish?

[JRutledge]

I think you let them request the timeout. I do not like to in any situation preemptively give a timeout and the coach is not giving the request at the moment. Too much tape and I do not want to be the one responsible for being late or giving a timeout that was not seen as a request.

Peace

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by jTheUmp

Maybe, maybe not. But even if it is foolish and totally unnecessary, who are we to keep coaches from doing it, if they wish?

"We" will very likely (almost guaranteed) be the target of any, and all, criticism and/or abuse that may result from trying to unnecessarily cut a line WAY too close, if things don't work out as expected. If you're willing to accept that risk, knock yourself out.

You might consider suggesting, "Let's stop it at 3 seconds to give the clock operator an opportunity to respond to my signal and avoid a lot of unnecessary confusion and problems"

[jTheUmp]

(on the Microphone, if applicable): "Prior to the playclock running out, a timeout was called by $TEAM_NAME. This is their First/Second/Third charged timeout."

If no mike: "Coach, the $TEAM_NAME coach/player called timeout just before the play clock expired".

Not hard at all. Happens all the time when a team is trying to take as much time off the clock as they can in the waning moments of a game, or if they call a timeout just prior to getting a DOG penalty.