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College Football/location of 30 second clock
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Question
is there any rule saying what the location of the 30 second clock should be on the field?
Ernest,
Thank you for your question. The simple answer is Yes - the play clock is to be positioned at each end of the playing enclosure [between the field and the stands, fence, dome, etc.]. At each end means behind the end zones. The rule you seek is 2-29-2 of the NCAA football rules.
First , a technical point - in NCAA football there is not a 30 second play clock, this year [2008] there is a 40 second/25 second play clock. The rules do mandate the location of the play clock so they are visible to players on the field.
Rule 2-29-1 pertains to the Game Clock
ARTICLE 1 of the rule provides that: The game clock is any device under the direction of the appropriate official used to time the 60 minutes of the game.
RULE 2-29-2 PERTAINS TO THE Play Clock which is the basis of your question.
ARTICLE 2 state: Each stadium shall have a visual play clock at each end of the playing enclosure. The play clock must be capable of counting down from both 40 seconds and 25 seconds. It should automatically default to 40 seconds and start immediately upon being re-set by the play-clock operator when any official signals that the ball is dead after a play. The playing enclosure is defined as that area bounded by the stadium, dome, stands, fences or other structures (Exception: Scoreboards are not considered within the playing enclosure).
Hope this helps,
Victor Winnek
NCAA Football Official
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | QUICK AND VERY HELPFULL. MY CONCERN WAS WITH RATHER THERE WAS A TIGHTER REQUIREMENT FOR THE LOCATION AS OPPOSED TO THE MORE GENERAL APPROACH INDICATED. THANX ERNIE | ||
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Vic Winnek
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