Expert: Vic Winnek - 10/23/2009

Question
I just read about a team intentionally false starting and getting the clock to run out at end of the game or half. Why wouldn't the rules comittee put a rule inthe books to eliminate this. In the last two minutes, if the offense jumps offside the defense can at their discretion have the clock stopped after the penalty is accessed. This would eliminate the officials having to decide anything. Coaches teach kids how to hold and not get caught. They will surly use every opportunity the ruls give them to run the clock out. I call it cheating some call it saavy. I had thought about the rule years ago and would have used it blatantly if I were a coach hoping to get the rule changed. You should persue this rule change for the better of the game.
Brad

Answer
Brad
Thank you for your question and thoughts on this topic.  Please know If there are Unfair Clock Tactics the referee may invoke Rule 3 Section 4 ARTICLE 3 which provides that the referee shall order the game clock or play clock started or stopped whenever either team conserves or consumes playing time by tactics obviously unfair. This includes starting the game clock on the snap if the foul is by the team ahead in the score. The game clock will start on the ready-for-play signal after Team A throws an illegal forward or backward pass to conserve time.

Examples of unfair time or game clock tactics are :

I. In an attempt to consume time in the fourth period, Team A stalls and exceeds the 40- or 25-second count. RULING: Foul for delay of game. Penalty—Five yards from the succeeding spot. The clock starts on the snap.

II. A Team B player, late in either half and with no timeouts remaining, crosses the neutral zone and touches a Team A player in an effort to conserve time. RULING: Dead-ball foul. Penalty—Five yards from the succeeding spot. The clock starts on the ready-for-play signal. At his discretion the referee may have the play clock set at 40 seconds.

III. A ball carrier, late in the second period, throws a backward pass out of bounds from behind or beyond the neutral zone to conserve time. RULING: Penalty—Five yards from the spot of the foul and loss of down. The clock starts on the ready-for-play signal.

IV. A ball carrier throws a forward pass while beyond the neutral zone to conserve time. RULING: Penalty—Five yards from the spot of the foul and loss of down. The clock starts on the ready-for-play signal (Rule 7-3-2 Penalty).

V. Late in the fourth quarter Team A trails by four points and is driving for a potential score. After a running play on which the ball carrier is tackled inbounds, Team B players are obviously and deliberately slow in letting him get to his feet or otherwise are employing tactics to delay the officials in making the ball ready for play. RULING:  Dead-ball foul against Team B, delay of game. When the ball is ready for play, the referee will signal the 25-second clock to start, but the game clock will start on the snap.

Vic Winnek
NCAA Football Official