40 second clock issue

[Bobref]

Here’s one that’s making the rounds nationally, now that the 40 second play clock is nationwide.

Team B is trailing 20-21 late in the 4th period.  Team B has no timeouts left.  It is Team A ball 3rd and 5 from their own 5 yard line. Team A runs a play and is tackled in bounds, when the ball becomes dead there is :39 seconds on the play clock.  At :35 seconds the Back Judge stops the clock because of a Team B player's helmet off or a Team B injury.  What’s the play clock situation, and if we don’t like it, what can we do about it?

[Irishman]

From the way you have worded it, I am thinking there is a benefit to Team B. The issue would be intentionally having a helmet come off or a player faking an injury, which would require the clock to stop, and/or be set to 25 seconds, which would force Team A to run another play. The official in place can make a judgment call on this, correct? as far as a fix; assuming what I stated prior is correct lol; maybe just pause the game and play clock, and start again once the gear is fixed or the player is off the field?

[Bobref]

Any officials who answer this question should also address the potential impact of Rule 3-4-6.

[Impartial_Observer]

Clock should start on the RFP with a 25 second play clock. The R has the authority to run the clock out if in his opinion the stoppage was due to B's attempt to illegally conserve time. Perhaps wind the game clock and blow the RFP somewhere below 25 on the game clock. Regardless of your decision, someone is not going to be happy with you.

Edited February 28, 2019 by Impartial_Observer

[JustRules]

6 hours ago, Impartial_Observer said:

Clock should start on the RFP with a 25 second play clock. The R has the authority to run the clock out if in his opinion the stoppage was due to B's attempt to illegally conserve time. Perhaps wind the game clock and blow the RFP somewhere below 25 on the game clock. Regardless of your decision, someone is not going to be happy with you.

Even if it's not intentional I think you would be smart to do something like this. The defense shouldn't gain an advantage for doing something like this either accidental or intentional. This scenario is why the NCAA rule sets the play clock at 40 for defensive injuries or helmets off at any point during the game. Keep in mind though this would have been an issue with the 25-second play clock as well. The play clock wouldn't have been started until after he game clock was under 25 and it would have started with 35 seconds instead.

[Bobref]

Rule 3-4-6 provides:

“When a team attempts to conserve or consume time illegally, the referee shall order the clock started or stopped.”

1-3-6 seems to restrict the definition of “clock” to the game clock, and not to include the play clock. Does R have the authority under 3-4-6 to manipulate the play clock to “do justice?”

[Impartial_Observer]

I'm hanging my hat on 9.9.1 in the case book.

A is trailing by five points near the end of the fourth period and has no time-outs left when the play ends on B's 3. The referee does not feel there is any illegal delay in unpiling and that time will definitely expire before the ball is ready and A gets in position to snap. Quarterback A1 reaches into the pile of players and grabs the ball. He then throws the ball to midfield.

RULING: Even if the referee imposes a 15-yard penalty for an unsportsmanlike act, A has accomplished its goal – the clock is stopped and it can get in position and be ready to run a play even though the clock will start on the ready-for-play signal. This situation illustrates when it is appropriate for the referee to invoke the unfair-act rule and handle the situation in any way that the referee feels is equitable. In this specific situation the referee should wind the clock and end the game without giving A an opportunity to put the ball in play.

COMMENT: The rule also gives the referee authority to take appropriate action whenever someone not subject to the rules hinders play. (3-4-6)

[Punttheball]

Team A up 1 point 39 seconds remaining on their 2 yard line and it is 4th and 25.  Game clock and play clock are running.  Team B has no timeouts.  Team A in the huddle has no intentions of running a play.  Team B has a legitimate injury on third down.  Clock stopped for injury at 39 seconds.  Team  A has done everything right to run the clock down and win the game.  Now what?

[SoIndRef]

On 3/1/2019 at 8:33 AM, Impartial_Observer said:

I'm hanging my hat on 9.9.1 in the case book.

A is trailing by five points near the end of the fourth period and has no time-outs left when the play ends on B's 3. The referee does not feel there is any illegal delay in unpiling and that time will definitely expire before the ball is ready and A gets in position to snap. Quarterback A1 reaches into the pile of players and grabs the ball. He then throws the ball to midfield.

RULING: Even if the referee imposes a 15-yard penalty for an unsportsmanlike act, A has accomplished its goal – the clock is stopped and it can get in position and be ready to run a play even though the clock will start on the ready-for-play signal. This situation illustrates when it is appropriate for the referee to invoke the unfair-act rule and handle the situation in any way that the referee feels is equitable. In this specific situation the referee should wind the clock and end the game without giving A an opportunity to put the ball in play.

COMMENT: The rule also gives the referee authority to take appropriate action whenever someone not subject to the rules hinders play. (3-4-6)

Start the van......