2008
NFHS Football Rules Interpreters Meeting
July 15, 2008 – Indianapolis, Indiana
REASONS FOR THE CLOCK
TO STOP
Dale Pleimann
Missouri State High School Activities Association
Reasons for the clock to stop
Incomplete
legal / illegal
forward
pass
Team
Timeout
Ball is
Out of
Bounds
Inadvertent
Whistle
Injured
Player
Period
Ends
Delay in
marking
ball RFP
TV/Radio
Timeout
Fair
Catch is
made
Either team is
awarded a new
series following a
legal kick
Team
consumes
time
illegally
B is
awarded
a new
series
Play
results in
touchback
Score
(Touchdown,
Field Goal,
Safety)
Penalty
occurs
during
down
Measurements
Coach /
Referee
Conference
Dry /
Change
game
ball
Player in need
of equipment
repair
1st down
declared
for A
Timeout for
Heat /
Humidity
Notification
of Time
Remaining
If Clock is Stopped Because:
Incomplete
legal / illegal
forward
pass
Ball is
Out of
Bounds
Team
Timeout
TV/Radio
Timeout
Either team is
awarded a new
series following a
legal kick
B is
awarded
a new
series
Team
consumes
time
illegally
Play
results in
touchback
Start the clock on the snap
If Clock is Stopped Because:
Inadvertent
Whistle
Start the clock on the Ready
Inadvertent Whistle Case Play
• Team A is trailing 10-6 with seven seconds to
play and has the ball at B’s 10 yardline. On 4th
and goal, A1’s QB runs an option play and
decides to keep the ball, and is running for a
touchdown. The line judge believes that A1
handed the ball off to running back A2 and
blows his whistle when A1 is at B’s 2 yardline
with 2 seconds on the clock.
• Ruling: A may choose to replay the down, or
take the ball at B’s 2 yardline. The clock will
start on the ready.
If Clock is Stopped Because:
Determine status of clock prior to these events
Injured
Player
Measurements
Coach /
Referee
Conference
Delay in
marking
ball RFP
Dry /
Change
game
ball
Player in need
of equipment
repair
1st down
declared
for A
Timeout for
Heat /
Humidity
Ball OOB
or
incomplete
forward
pass
Yes
No
Clock starts on Ready for Play
Notification
of Time
Remaining
Clock starts on Snap
If Clock is Stopped Because:
Fair
Catch is
made
Period
Ends
If ball is
put in play
scrimmag
e play
Yes
Clock starts on Snap
No – Ball put in play by Free Kick
Clock starts on other than 1st touching by K
If Clock is Stopped Because:
Score
(Touchdown,
Field Goal,
Safety)
Clock starts on other than 1st touching by K
Play immediately following a touchdown is untimed
If Clock is Stopped Because:
Penalty
occurs
during
down
B Awarded a
New Series
Yes
No
Ball OOB
or
incomplete
forward
pass
No
Clock starts on Ready for Play
Clock starts on Snap
Yes
•
1st and 20 at A’s 20 yardline. A1’s legal
forward pass is intercepted by B2 at A’s 45
yardline. B2 is tackled inbounds at A’s 10
yardline. While A1’s pass was in the air, B3
was flagged for Defensive Pass Interference at
A’s 40 yardline. A accepts the penalty.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
A’s ball, 1st and 5 at its own 35 yardline
A’s ball, 1st and 10 at its own 35 yardline
A’s ball, 1st and 10 at its own 40 yardline
The clock starts on the ready
The clock starts on the snap.