I mentioned in a previous Ready for Play article I watch a lot of Hudl video during the week. One mechanics issue I see in every game is multiple officials fail to give the “stop the clock” (STC) signal when warranted. Even the covering official sometimes does not stop the clock. Here are a few precepts to consider:
If you throw a flag on Team A and you’re the covering official at the goal line as Team A scores a touchdown, don’t give the touchdown signal; instead, give the STC signal. You know the TD will not stand. If you didn’t throw the flag and you’re the covering official at the goal line, give the TD signal, because you don’t know what the flag is for.
Clock management is a crew responsibility. Do not assume the referee or another veteran official will take care of the clock. All officials should consider clock management a personal responsibility.
The line judge is in perfect position to monitor the clock. I just mentioned all officials should monitor the clock; that’s true…but the line judge should ensure he incorporates looking at the clock as part of his routine. If you are a line judge, think clock!
When you give the STC signal, after you dead ball officiate, quickly look at the scoreboard to ensure the clock operator has stopped the clock. (This also applies to the incomplete pass signal. We want to ensure the clock is not running.)
Two arm swings is correct, unless you are looking at the clock and it continues to run.
This is my personal preference. Don’t take this as gospel:Don’t cross your arms over your head (as if you are signaling to a train that the bridge ahead is out). I know the Rules Book shows the official crossing the arms in Signal 3. I don’t like the big “arms crossed” motion. Fingertip to fingertip overhead and no lower than your waist as your arms come down.
If one official gives the STC signal, all officials should mirror the signal. (This is the most common mechanics mistake I observe.)
Following a fourth down play, the clock will stop regardless of the outcome. In Colorado, we give the “false start” signal (NFHS Rules Book Signal 19) prior to the fourth down snap to remind the crew to STC when the ball is dead.
If a coach requests a time-out, as you give the STC signal, give a loud “tweet, tweet, tweet” and run onto the field at an angle toward the referee.
Wings, if a runner is downed inbounds beyond the line to gain, only give the STC signal. Don’t stick your hand in the air to start the 40-second play clock. Don’t give the “wind the clock” signal followed by the STC signal. Stop the clock, signal “first down” to the referee, and then immediately let the referee know he should start the game clock with a silent wind.
By the way, lifting our hand is not the only signal to start the 40-second play clock. The “incomplete pass,” “stop the clock” (when a runner goes out of bounds), and “wind the clock” (when the ball is downed inbounds close to the sideline) are also signals to start the play clock. So don’t give one of those three signals followed by lifting your hand. It’s redundantly repetitive.
When the ball is downed close to the LTG and the wings are pinching to spot it,the wings should give the STC signal, and then the other officials should mirror the signal.
Wings, if players go out of bounds, face the players out of bounds as you give the STC signal.
When officials converge on a pile following a fumble, all officials should give the STC signal (unless it’s immediately apparent Team A recovered the fumble following a first-, second-, or third-down play). The officials dead-ball officiating away from the pile should ensure the clock has stopped.
Quiz
Read the quiz stem and then choose the best answer.
A12 takes the snap and pitches the ball to A33. A33 runs outside the lateral boundary of the free blocking zone, and while under duress, throws the ball into the team box beyond the neutral zone extended. There is no eligible receiver in the area.
- Legal play
- Illegal forward pass
Review Rule 7-5-2 Exception 2 3