So from reading this, what I'm gathering is that the play clocks in the endzones are not a tool for officiating, since the back judge is deferring to the game master system on his person. That means the play clocks are more of a tool for the players on the field and the coaching staffs. That being the case, I don't see the point in adding that cost by mandating that teams have them.

 

Also, if the back judge is trying to keep and eye on the play clocks to make sure they're within a second or two of his official timer, then man would that make for some potential drama from the coaching staffs if there's a delay of game called when the time clock in the endzone still says there's another second to pull off the play, or vice versa.

 

The officials that South pulls from is the SKY conference officials in Southern Kentucky. When they meet with us before the game they tell the operator of the Delay of game clock to start on Ref's whistle. They tell us that they are using the game master system on their side and go over it with the coaches to watch the back judge for his single at 10 and 5 to go. The clocks are there for management tool and any delay of games are on the back judge. Usually he tells us that he will watch them and as long as they are close to his he will use the Play clocks in the end zone, but if they are too far off of his he will have them turned off.

 

This actually happened a two years ago when we had some communication problems with the wireless relays and they had the play clocks turned off. But usually the delay of games and the refs system are not off and they the refs defer to the play clocks at our games at least.

Ok...we all need some clarification and correction here because some have no clue about the rules.

 

STRAIGHT FROM THE KHSAA HANDBOOK:

 

L) Use of Visible Play Clocks

1. During the regular season, if a host school has a twenty-five second clock on both ends of the playing field and both are operable, they are to be used without mutual agreement of the opponent.

2) During the regular season, if a host school has a twenty-

five second clock at only one end of the field, the host school must

acquire permission from the visiting team before the clock may

be used. The officials, absent a clock malfunction, may not order

the play clock not to be used.

3. During the playoffs, if a host school has a twenty-five second clock on both ends of the playing field and both are operable, they are to be used.

4) During the playoffs, if a host school has a twenty-five second clock at only one end of the field, the clock shall not be used.

5) The 25-second field clocks are the official delay of game timepieces.

6) The 25-second clock operator will work under the supervision of

the BJ and will report to him before the game for instructions in

or near the officials’ dressing room.

7) The 25 Second Clock Operator will be instructed to:

a) Set the clock display to 25 seconds before the game starts.

b) Start 25-second clock on the Referee’s Ready-for-Play signal

or Wind-the-Clock signal, whichever comes first.

c) Leave display at ‘00’ seconds if there is a delay of game

penalty called until Referee has completed his signals to the

press box after enforcing the delay of game penalty.

d) Reset display immediately to 25 seconds when ball is put in play (snapped) if there is no delay foul called.

e) Reset display to 25 seconds anytime Referee interrupts 25-second count and gives the reset signal (palm up with pumping arm motion).

f) Turn off both displays should either 25 second clock

malfunction or become inoperative. Both 25- second clocks

will not operate again until the problem is corrected and both

25-second clocks are working. Both coaches will be notified immediately if the 25-second clock is no longer official. The 25-second count will then be kept on the

field by the BJ on his watch. When doing this, BJ raises his hand when 10 seconds

remain in the 25-second count.

g) Do not use 25-second clock when less than 25 seconds remain

in any period if the game clock IS running. If 25-second clock

is mistakenly started in this situation, DO NOT stop game

or game clock to correct. If the game clock is not running

when less than 25 seconds remaining in any period, then the

25-second clock is used.

h) NOTE: If the 25-second clock is erroneously started, it shall

be stopped immediately. The BJ may be asked to help the

Referee determine the amount of time lost when the clock is

stopped for reasons beyond the circumstances of either team.

The amount of time run off the 25-second clock can be used

to determine the amount of lost time

 

Basically: if the school has a two play clocks that work, they're used. If they only have one, BOTH teams must agree to it. In the playoffs, it's 2 working clocks or none at all.

Thanks Hawks4ever1, I was trying to find this but could only find game clock notes.

 

So when they meet with us as stated in Note 6

 

"6) The 25-second clock operator will work under the supervision of

the BJ and will report to him before the game for instructions in

or near the officials’ dressing room."

 

So I guess he's basically telling us that his gamemaster system is what he is going by and if they are not staying close then he is going to declare that the play clocks are malfunctioning and order them off.

If a team doesn't have a $6k a year budget, they have no business playing football.

I just believe it's a necessity. Your asking a lot out of a kid to try and manage a game by watching the scoreboard. Or even looking for help from the sideline.

 

Tens of thousands of QBs have survived without one.

Just wondering how many high schools don't have play clocks in each end zone. I for one believe it should be a KHSAA rule . Every school should be responsible for providing these . Especially if your team is hosting a playoff game . Your thoughts ?

 

I know that almost every stadium that I have been to in NKY does not have them. I think it should be a rule and also think that most teams would want to see the play clocks instead of relying on a ref to keep it for both teams.

I would love for every school to have them. Putnam Stadium in Ashland has them. For a couple of years, I don't know if no one knew how to use it or not, but it wasn't used. Now, however, it's used every varsity home game. I think it just add to the over all look of any stadium.

When the 3 point shot was instituted in basketball people complained that some schools didn't have enough in their budgets to get floors re-painted. They got by.

 

Would love to see them mandated.

 

They are mandated in Indiana.

 

No one in Jefferson County currently has them.