Some may serve as a game clock operator during varsity games. Here are a few items to consider.
Determine if your state or association has a play clock document. There is a “Play & Game Clock Starts” document on the Art of Officiating website. Click on “Resources” (top-right of the page). The document is in the “Game Resources” section.
Free Kicks: Ensure you don’t start the game clock when the ball is kicked into the EZ or OOB, or when Team K touches the kick in the neutral zone (between the K-40 and midfield). Start the clock when Team R touches the kick or when Team K touches the kick beyond the neutral zone.
Keep your eyes on the R. You shouldn’t be responsible for the game clock AND scoreboard operation (down and distance). You can’t efficiently do both jobs at the same time. If you MUST take care of both duties: If you stop the clock when a runner goes beyond the LTG inbounds, wait until after the R gives the “silent wind” to change the down and distance. (I’ve had numerous clock operators miss the silent wind because their heads are down, changing the scoreboard info.)
If the runner’s forward progress is stopped inbounds and then he’s driven OOB, hopefully the covering official gives the “wind the clock” signal (because the clock should not stop).
Know your state’s running clock rules. If you have a blowout, you may go to a running clock.
Make sure the snap goes off without issue before starting the game clock. Don’t start the game clock (if it’s stopped) when you have a false start or snap infraction.
At the end of a half, don’t stop the game clock after a change of possession if it has a second or less on the clock if the time doesn’t matter (meaning one of the teams will not try a Hail Mary). If Team K kicks the ball and Team R has the ball deep in their territory, don’t be too quick to stop the game clock and have a half-second remaining. Or if Team A runs a play and they’re just trying to run out the clock, don’t stop it with less than :01 on the clock if the time doesn’t matter.
Watch for the BJ to wind the clock to start the 15-minute halftime. When that expires, you can put 3 minutes on the clock for the mandatory warmup and run it (unless you are instructed otherwise). Do not short-change the 3-minute warmup. That is mandatory. Even if the teams are ready to start the second half, let the full 3 minutes run off.
Quiz
Read the quiz stem and then choose the best answer.
3/6 from the A-20. A33 is hit at the A-22 and fumbles. To keep the ball from a Team B recovery, A47 bats the ball at the A-25. A17 falls on the ball at the A-28. From which yard line will A47’s illegal batting foul be enforced?
- A-28 (dead ball spot)
- A-25 (spot of the foul)
- A-22 (end of the run)
- A-20 (previous spot)
Review Rules 2-33-2, 10-4-6c