I was at a game this weekend that made me wonder about a certain rule in High School Football. It was in the 4th quarter of the game with 4 minutes to go, and it was a one possession game. The team that had the ball was the one winning and the clock was running. Then basically three plays in a row they ran 20 or more seconds off the clock, and then right before they snapped it they got a false start penalty. Then the head ref would blow the whistle and started the clock again, and then ran another 20 or so seconds off the clock, and then right before they snapped it they got another falst start penalty. This happened like 3 times in a row, and just was able to take even more time off the clock without even running a play. Then the samething happened again under two minutes once the opposing team used the last of their time-outs. The team first ran a play, and then on the next play they got another false start after time had off the clock, and then the head ref blew his whistle and started the clock again and they had a new full play clock to work with to run off more time.

 

So my question is about if the clock is suppose to stop after a penalty on the offense? I thought once it was under the final two minutes of the game, that the clock was suppose to start on the snap and not the ready for play whistle? I don't believe the team I saw was doing it on purpose, it just kept happening because it was sloppy for both sides. However if the clock starts all the time on the ready for play whistle, then a team can basically just run out the clock with 4 minutes left or so just by getting a false start everytime. Does anyone know the rule on this, and when the clock is suppose to start and stop?

I saw the same thing happen a couple of years ago in a playoff game. So, basically, if you have the lead at any point in the second half, just keep on taking delay of game penalties until the end of the game and you'll go home a winner.

I saw the same thing happen a couple of years ago in a playoff game. So, basically, if you have the lead at any point in the second half, just keep on taking delay of game penalties until the end of the game and you'll go home a winner.

 

Exactly, I thought for sure there was a rule in place though that once it gets under two minutes that it was suppose to stop. Because in that case say its like third down or even 4th down with like 1:55 to go and the clock is running and the defense has no timeouts left. Instead of punting the ball to them, they could run the clock down and then say false start. Then they could just keep doing that until the game ends. That is why I think there has to be some rule in place for that or something. It just seemed very weird that the clock got to start right back up after the penalty. The team I saw was not doing it on purpose either, however if there is no rule in place. That is something teams could start doing on purpose then.

I did a little searching and I THINK the answer is that the clock should have started on the snap.

 

I read that if the action that caused the caused the clock to stop was the penalty itself then the clock starts on the snap.

 

I am NOT a football official so take this FWIW. I think I'm right though.

Clyde I hope your right and these refs just blew it.....this would be terrible if the rules don't prohibit running the clock out this way.

I was at a game this weekend that made me wonder about a certain rule in High School Football. It was in the 4th quarter of the game with 4 minutes to go, and it was a one possession game. The team that had the ball was the one winning and the clock was running. Then basically three plays in a row they ran 20 or more seconds off the clock, and then right before they snapped it they got a false start penalty. Then the head ref would blow the whistle and started the clock again, and then ran another 20 or so seconds off the clock, and then right before they snapped it they got another falst start penalty. This happened like 3 times in a row, and just was able to take even more time off the clock without even running a play. Then the samething happened again under two minutes once the opposing team used the last of their time-outs. The team first ran a play, and then on the next play they got another false start after time had off the clock, and then the head ref blew his whistle and started the clock again and they had a new full play clock to work with to run off more time.

 

So my question is about if the clock is suppose to stop after a penalty on the offense? I thought once it was under the final two minutes of the game, that the clock was suppose to start on the snap and not the ready for play whistle? I don't believe the team I saw was doing it on purpose, it just kept happening because it was sloppy for both sides. However if the clock starts all the time on the ready for play whistle, then a team can basically just run out the clock with 4 minutes left or so just by getting a false start everytime. Does anyone know the rule on this, and when the clock is suppose to start and stop?

 

What game were you at? I'm just wondering who the classy program is that did this.

What game were you at? I'm just wondering who the classy program is that did this.

 

As I said the other team did not do it on purpose. It was a game of penalties, both teams had a ton of offsides and false starts in the game. This team was not doing it on purpose at all, however it did make me wonder about this. Because of there is no rule for it, then teams really could do it on purpose and run the clock out.

Oh Ok, I misunderstood. However if this is legal I unfortunately know some coaches that would do it on purpose.

This could come into effect the other way as well, a player gets tackled and the clock is running they need to get a field goal to win. Could they just run up and false start on purpose. If the clock started on the snap then they would have the length of the play clock to get the kicking team out. I would like to get more clarification on this.

 

This tactic was used in the Music City bowl last year.

This could come into effect the other way as well, a player gets tackled and the clock is running they need to get a field goal to win. Could they just run up and false start on purpose. If the clock started on the snap then they would have the length of the play clock to get the kicking team out. I would like to get more clarification on this.

 

This tactic was used in the Music City bowl last year.

 

Did some more checking. Looks like the official can go on either in end of game situations if he feels one team is trying to manipulate the clock thru penalties.

Not sure exactly how the rule reads but these situations would be left up to the discretion of the white hat.

Back in 2004 Dixie beat Trinity in a playoff game like this. They had the lead and the ball and were able to run the clock out. I believe they had a couple of delay of game penalties, but don't remember how many or the exact penalties.