I actually think the opposite. You will be surprised how few snaps you can get off when the clock is running.

 

Of course, since there is less "game left," it makes coaches more likely to put subs in "earlier" from a clock standpoint (mid-3rd Qtr instead of early 4th for example).

 

I think just the opposite, HB.

 

I think the running clock limits the PT for the reserves. The game flies by ie less plays.

 

I get what the positives are for this rule but IMO it really hurts the kids that need more time the most - the reserves.

 

I am thinking like jpa, that it will get reserves in sooner because it's a running clock. I guess it really depends on the coach.

 

One disadvantage is if you are a stats guy like myself, if a player for instance is on pace to break a record for instance such as most rushing yards in a game or for a season or career etc. with a running clock it can make those records harder to obtain. For instance, if your RB is 15 yards short of a state record and the running clock starts, will he have enough time to have a shot at breaking the record and 2, will the team get chastised because it was a running clock but you left him in to try and get the record.

It's good for the kids who don't get to see the field a lot, should give them more playing time now once a running clock is started.

 

This isn't true at all. With the running clock the amount of time the reserves get in will drastically go down.

This isn't true at all. With the running clock the amount of time the reserves get in will drastically go down.

 

Depends on the coach. Some coaches won't put their reserves in without a running clock until maybe half way thru the 4th qtr etc. I don't like that, but it is reality in some cases.

Why don't we just do what baseball does and stop the game if there is a certain lead after so much time has elapsed? Seems like that would do much more to prevent injuries. Highlands may only play 1 quarter of real football per game this year. The only way I could support this rule was if it only started after halftime and even then I wouldn't like it.

Depends on the coach. Some coaches won't put their reserves in without a running clock until maybe half way thru the 4th qtr etc. I don't like that, but it is reality in some cases.

 

In a word tough. The facts are that the regular season is nothing more then a series of "scrimmages" to get ready for the playoffs. One aspect that has to be addressed is game conditioning. A coach will keep his regular players in as long as he feels he needs to to get game conditioning. The world may come to an end but I agree with PP. There are JV games for the reserves.

I have always though there should be some kind of sliding scale. If the differential is 50 at halftime. Start the clock. 45 at the 6 minute mark of the third, start the clock. 40 at the start of the 4th, start the clock. 35 at the 6 minute mark of the 4th, start the clock. Or some variation thereof.

 

I like this idea. I am in agreement with most of the posters above - the games are going to go fast and the reserves and starters will get less playing time. I don't agree with the numbers in the sliding scale above, but the concept is good. I would go with 40 in the first half and 30 at the end of 3 quarters.

 

One question - once the clock starts running, does it stay running the rest of the game? If the lead drops below 36, do you start timing again or leave the clock running?

i am wondering:

Will most coaches - if they score that 5th touchdown and are up 34-0 - go for the 2-pt conversion and get the clock running, or will they settle on 35-0 and keep playing a regular game? Will it be insulting to an opponent to go for 2? FWIW I think the magic point total should have been 40. As it stands the change went from 7 TDs to 5 TDs; too big of a reduction for me.

I like this idea. I am in agreement with most of the posters above - the games are going to go fast and the reserves and starters will get less playing time. I don't agree with the numbers in the sliding scale above, but the concept is good. I would go with 40 in the first half and 30 at the end of 3 quarters.

 

One question - once the clock starts running, does it stay running the rest of the game? If the lead drops below 36, do you start timing again or leave the clock running?

 

Once a running clock is started, it continues to the end of the game regardless of score changes. A coach can still use a timeout to stop it.

i am wondering:

Will most coaches - if they score that 5th touchdown and are up 34-0 - go for the 2-pt conversion and get the clock running, or will they settle on 35-0 and keep playing a regular game? Will it be insulting to an opponent to go for 2? FWIW I think the magic point total should have been 40. As it stands the change went from 7 TDs to 5 TDs; too big of a reduction for me.

 

That's just what I was thinking as well. I am looking back through some old box scores, and saw times where Warren Central kicked the PAT to go up 35 and then the delay to the running clock (if any) was several minutes later. One of those games would have been against Graves County in the playoffs in 2011. Central would have had the chance to get up 36 sometime in the 3rd quarter had they gone for two after a TD. The chances of losing at that point are obviously slim, but in the playoffs you're probably looking for more rest, why not go ahead and punch them out?

I went back through the last three years of Warren Central's games to find the difference between when a running clock would have started under the new rule, and when it ultimately started (if it ever did) under the existing rule. Just so someone can see what difference it would potentially make. But as sports fan noted, I think some coaches that had 36 within reach would go for two in some instances rather than kick the PAT to go up 35, as some of these games for Warren Central did.

 

 

(First time is when running clock would have started at 36 point margin, second is when it did start at 45 point margin)

2010

Apollo (0:01 - 3rd) (Actual - None)

Warren East (9:26 - 3rd) (Actual - 3:30 - 3rd)

Barren County (2:56 - 3rd) (Actual - None)

Ohio County (7:52 - 3rd) (Actual - 5:46 - 3rd)

 

2011

Fort Campbell (0:24 - 2nd) (Actual - 9:44 - 3rd)

Barren County (0:51 - 2nd) (Actual - 2:42 - 3rd)

Greenwood (2:17 - 4th) (Actual - None)

Logan County (6:46 - 2nd) (Actual - 1:19 - 2nd)

Graves County (9:27 - 4th) (Actual - None)

Christian County (11:12 - 4th) (Actual - 6:21 - 4th)

 

2012

Fort Campbell (8:55 - 3rd) (Actual - 7:24 - 3rd)

Barren County (5:35 - 2nd) (Actual - 0:28 - 2nd)

Greenwood (9:29 - 4th) (Actual - None)

Logan County (10:04 - 2nd) (Actual - 8:18 - 2nd)

Southwestern (7:15 - 3rd) (Actual - 3:31 - 3rd)

Hopkinsville (4:45 - 2nd) (Actual - 1:16 - 2nd)

 

In all Warren Central notched 11 running clocks out of 39 games played (28.2%). The new rule would have added five more, which would have made it 16/39 (41.0%).

I was told tonight that the running clock rule has been changed to initiate at a 36 point differential. Here is the announcement from KHSAA.

 

8/12/13 Reminder about Football Running Clock Procedure | Kentucky High School Athletic Association

 

This notice effects all football games played in Kentucky involving KHSAA member schools at al levels of play.

The point differential to initiate the running clock has been changed from 45 points to 36 points. Though this was previously noticed to all football coaches, this reminder is necessary as the season is about the begin. As was stated in the earlier notice email, the Commissioner’s Football Advisory Committee, which is made up of coaches and athletic administrators throughout the state, felt strongly that having had ample time to evaluate the previous difference, and with a desire surrounding injury prevention and efficient conduct of the games, that the number should be changed.

 

Probably a good thing, but bad for the Birds and the fans. I think alot of folks will be upset if they have to watch halftime games most of the season. I've seen games where the Birds have scored 35 in the 1st qtr alone.

It will shorten, what is already a bad game for one team, but it will cause more imbarrassment for the teams that aren't very good in the long run. There will be too many running clocks. Some games will only last about 30 minutes. I don't like it. Why can't they just leave things alone?

In a word tough. The facts are that the regular season is nothing more then a series of "scrimmages" to get ready for the playoffs. One aspect that has to be addressed is game conditioning. A coach will keep his regular players in as long as he feels he needs to to get game conditioning. The world may come to an end but I agree with PP. There are JV games for the reserves.

 

Thats fine as long as the JV games are actually played. When the JV schedule isnot completed due to cancellations, field conditions etc. then I always tend to feel bad for those players who busted their butts all summer and all year long but hardly see the field.

It will shorten, what is already a bad game for one team, but it will cause more imbarrassment for the teams that aren't very good in the long run. There will be too many running clocks. Some games will only last about 30 minutes. I don't like it. Why can't they just leave things alone?

 

I agree. Conditioning will become an issue for some teams as they play more competitive games deep in the playoffs.

I have always though there should be some kind of sliding scale. If the differential is 50 at halftime. Start the clock. 45 at the 6 minute mark of the third, start the clock. 40 at the start of the 4th, start the clock. 35 at the 6 minute mark of the 4th, start the clock. Or some variation thereof.

 

For some of the clock operators I've seen, the probability of successfully executing that sliding scale would be the equivalent of Ram winning the Scripps National spelling bee.