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61

Texas Topics / Re: Dealing with a lesser experienced clock operator...

« Last post by TxJim on August 03, 2026, 12:54:29 PM »

Help him out best you can but don't fall down on your job on the game clock doing so.
If it is really bad, we can pick it up on the field with the B, try and fix it at the half.
But, most I've seen with a problem come along and pick it up as the game progresses.

I think TASO has published a timing aid on page 17 of the Chain Clock Mechanic.
Ideally, if you had a copy of Page 17, it would have most all he would ever need.
Print off and carry some extra copies for that rainy day.

As an R, yeah, I want to know what the problem is, so at the half if you both come down to the locker room, we straighten in out together as a team.

Not every problem is a timer's issue.
Had a game a few years back where me and the crew were convinced the timers didn't know what they were doing.
Turns out the scoreboard system had been hit by lightning earlier in the week and neither the timers nor the school realized it until investigating after the game.

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Texas Topics / Dealing with a lesser experienced clock operator...

« Last post by Official_21 on August 03, 2026, 10:46:00 AM »

I haven't encountered this situation yet in my nine years of being a clock operator, but wanted some advice on how to deal with the situation below, should the need arise.

I am just wondering what should I do if I come across a fellow clock operator who doesn't have a clue on what they are doing?
My helpful nature would tell me to try and help out my fellow clock operator, but for me to juggle two tasks is difficult for me, as I have to focus on my job.
Should I just carry on and then let the R (or Game Admin) know at half time?

In other words, what is the best way of handling the above situation.

63

Non-Officiating Discussion / Re: Blog... Mow your yard

« Last post by dammitbobby on August 03, 2026, 09:29:24 AM »

I, too, greatly enjoy the physical act of mowing; in fact, I've said for a long time that my ideal retirement (like that will ever happen, lol) would be to work out a deal with a golf course where I would mow fairways (only fairways, no greens, no rough) in exchange for a couple rounds of golf a week.

For today, though, as much as I enjoy the droning and letting my mind wander and pontificate, I'll do the bare minimum since Texas right now feels like Hell's front porch.

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Non-Officiating Discussion / Blog... Mow your yard

« Last post by Rglodich on August 03, 2026, 07:37:20 AM »

The latest blog from retired Michigan high school football coach who has transitioned into authorship. A discussion of "uninterrupted time" during a busy season. Grateful that the Refstripes forum allows me to share these blogs. Good luck this season, hope you enjoy. Ron Glodich.

https://www.ronglodich.com/author-blog/mow-your-yardyou-wont-regret-it

65

NCAA Discussion / Re: 2026 CCA Manual, Basic Officiating Guidelines, Item 15

« Last post by ElvisLives on August 01, 2026, 08:17:35 PM »

That seems to be in conflict with the rule.  The rule states, "the opponent has the option of a 10 SRO".   I suppose if the other team doesn't want the runoff, there wouldn't be one if the offending team calls a timeout.  Forcing them to use a timeout that would prevent the 10 SRO takes the other team out of the picture.  The problem arises when the offending team doesn't want to use a timeout, and then we find out the offended team doesn't want the 10 SRO.  It seems we need to get their option.

Precisely why we need to get the offended team’s option, first, IMHO. If they don’t want the 10SRO, then, there is no secondary issue. Penalize, spot the ball, start the play clock, and the game clock starts on the snap.
If they DO want the 10SRO, and the offending team has an available T/O, then notify the offending team that 10 seconds will be subtracted from the game clock, and the clock will start on the ‘ready,’ but, they can avoid both if they take a time out. Then do whatever is appropriate by their response.

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NCAA Discussion / Re: 2026 CCA Manual, Basic Officiating Guidelines, Item 15

« Last post by JasonTX on August 01, 2026, 07:53:38 PM »

What’s in the manual this year is the same process we were told to use last year.

My understanding is that we ask the offending team first as part of the penalty for their foul is the 10 second runoff. They are penalized with the loss of a TO to avoid the 10SRO. They don’t get the opportunity to save a TO by the choice of the offended team. The offended team gets all the same options at the end of the day whichever sequence we ask (manuals or yours), which is the point of penalty enforcement.

Additionally this cuts down significantly on the time to get options and complete enforcement as we lose having to always complete at least two conversations and now most will be just one.

That seems to be in conflict with the rule.  The rule states, "the opponent has the option of a 10 SRO".   I suppose if the other team doesn't want the runoff, there wouldn't be one if the offending team calls a timeout.  Forcing them to use a timeout that would prevent the 10 SRO takes the other team out of the picture.  The problem arises when the offending team doesn't want to use a timeout, and then we find out the offended team doesn't want the 10 SRO.  It seems we need to get their option.

67

Texas Topics / Re: TASO Officiating Philosophies and NCAA Officiating Standards

« Last post by ElvisLives on August 01, 2026, 05:22:29 PM »

No, the CCA 10-second subtraction (runoff) mechanics were not considered for inclusion in the TASO manuals. The TASO manuals were approved before anyone was aware of this new addition to the CCA manual. I don’t believe anyone has an objection to TASO folks using these mechanics (although, personally, I have some issues with it - see the NCAA forum).

Scrimmages less than two weeks away.

68

NCAA Discussion / Re: 2026 CCA Manual, Basic Officiating Guidelines, Item 15

« Last post by Whodatboy18 on August 01, 2026, 07:59:12 AM »

What’s in the manual this year is the same process we were told to use last year.

My understanding is that we ask the offending team first as part of the penalty for their foul is the 10 second runoff. They are penalized with the loss of a TO to avoid the 10SRO. They don’t get the opportunity to save a TO by the choice of the offended team. The offended team gets all the same options at the end of the day whichever sequence we ask (manuals or yours), which is the point of penalty enforcement.

Additionally this cuts down significantly on the time to get options and complete enforcement as we lose having to always complete at least two conversations and now most will be just one.

69

Texas Topics / Re: TASO Officiating Philosophies and NCAA Officiating Standards

« Last post by ElvisLives on July 31, 2026, 10:47:13 PM »

Kind of along the same lines, kind of not...The NCAA CCA manual has mechanics for a 10 second runoff, are there runoff mechanics listed in the TASO mechanics? I have looked and cannot seem to find them. Really only asking because of the change in the CCA manual this year.

I have inquired if the CCA 10-second subtraction (runoff) mechanics were considered for inclusion in the TASO manuals. When (if) I hear, I will advise.
IMHO, the CCA mechanics for the 10SRO were added to assure consistency in announcements across all of NCAA football, since they have referee’s field mics at 100% of their sites. The vast majority of UIL/TAPPS stadiums do not have referee field mics, so this may not be as important for TASO officials, but it wouldn’t be a bad thing to have this in our manuals.

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NCAA Discussion / 2026 CCA Manual, Basic Officiating Guidelines, Item 15

« Last post by ElvisLives on July 31, 2026, 10:35:38 PM »

2026 CCA Manual, Basic Officiating Guidelines, Item 15, Mechanics for the 10-Second Runoff Rule

This item is new for 2026. I presume it is intended mostly to bring consistency across all of NCAA football in (at least) the Referee’s announcements related to 10-second subtractions (‘runoffs;’ I’ll use 10SRO as the acronym). That’s all good.
I question the priority of obtaining the opposing coaches’ options. They say to obtain the Offending Team’s option first, i.e., if they have a time out (T/O) available, do they want to use it, to avoid the 10SRO?
Well, if the offended team chooses to decline the 10SRO, then the offending team has no ‘option’ to choose. After the ball is spotted, the play clock is 25 and starts on the referee’s signal, and the game clock starts on the snap, all by rule.
It seems to me that the offended team needs to make the first decision (10SRO or not). If they choose the 10SRO, then the offending needs to decide if they want to take a T/O. If they do, then the game clock does not get adjusted; the offended team is so advised; and, following the full T/O, the game clock starts on the snap. But, if the offending does not have a T/O available, 10-seconds are subtracted from the game clock, and will start on the referee’s signal (by rule).
I would prefer to have the sideline officials let the offended team know that, if they want the 10SRO, the offending team may, then, take a T/O to avoid the 10SRO. Then get their option, first. Then get the offending team’s option to take a T/O (or not).
Anyone know the rationale for getting the offending team’s option first?

And, regarding the announcement, as much as I don’t like the term ‘runoff,’ I can live with it. But, let’s not say, “…on the ready for play.” I’d much rather use, ”Clock Operator, please set the game clock to 35-seconds; zero-three-five [use time as appropriate]. The game clock will start on my signal.” And then always follow up with “Thank you” to the clock operator after the clock is adjusted.

The other stuff in the CCA manual for the 10SRO is all OK.