Oh yeah!!! I DO like this TAPPS mercy rule!!

[TXMike]

28-0 end of 1st qtr   35-0  halftime   after 1st TD in 2d half (41 then) we started running the clock.  The losing coach only complained one time all night and that was in the 2d half after a score made it 49-0.  We had the clock stopped while teams set up for the KO and he was fuming , saying it should NEVER stop.

[Joe Stack]

I had a game earlier this year with a that had not scored a point ALL YEAR (we were in week 4, I think). I put the link to the actual TAPPS document in my phone just in case there was an issue. We started the clock to begin the second half (42-0 at that point). We had a foul early and there was confusion on whether they wanted to accept or decline the penalty. It took close to a minute to clear that up and the coach wanted time put back on. I said, "Coach, we do not put time back on a running clock -- it defeats the purpose!"He cried about the damn clock the entire second half, even though he complained before the game that his 4 best guys were out due to injuries and he was down to 13! Its really amazing how stupid some of these people can be.

Anyway, here's the actual rule from the TAPPS site:

MERCY RULE
1. In the event the score differential of an 11 MAN FOOTBALL contest reaches 40 or more
points, the following provisions are to be implemented.
2. First half time keeping will not be affected.
3. After half time, once the 40 point differential is reached, the Clock will run continuously
except for the following stoppages:
a. Time Outs
b. Quarter End
c. Injury Time Outs
4. Once the Continuous Clock has begun, time keeping does not revert back to normal
procedures even if the point differential is reduced to below 40 points


I wouldn't stop it after scores since it isn't expressly provided for, though the rule probably should include a "may" provision for Referee's time outs.

[psv]

I wish UIL would implement this.  We have had several games that were out of hand that we could have benefitted from a running clock when there was a recalcitrant coach(es).

[JasonTX]

I wish UIL would implement this.  We have had several games that were out of hand that we could have benefitted from a running clock when there was a recalcitrant coach(es).

A crew in our chapter had shortened quarters.  The coaches approached the crew and informed them of their mutual agreement to have the quarters shortened to 8 minutes.  This was done to start the 3rd qtr.

[TXMike]

I wouldn't stop it after scores since it isn't expressly provided for, though the rule probably should include a "may" provision for Referee's time outs.

The rule says "timeouts" It does not say if it is a charged team timeout, a referee's timeout, or what kind of timeout.  The 1 minute intermission after an extra point play or after a successful FG or after a safety seems like a clear "timeout" to me. 

[Joe Stack]

By rule, it isn't a timeout.

Reread the TAPPS rule:

a. Time Outs
b. Quarter End
c. Injury Time Outs

It doesn't end with "Time out." It clarifies what timeouts it wants the clock stopped on. Perhaps it wasn't given a great deal of thought and maybe will be changed, but for now, I stand by what I said we will do. I'm all for "intent" of the rule and all that -- and if it listed "time out" only, you'd be right. But we first go by the express reading and for some reason, TAPPS has told us when to stop it, and after scores is not listed.

Besides, to me, that would defeat the intent of the rule -- a team ahead by 40 obviously can score and may score a lot more. If the clock doesn't stop, its hard to understand the purpose of the rule in those cases.

[TXMike]

By rule, it isn't a timeout.

Reread the TAPPS rule:

a. Time Outs
b. Quarter End
c. Injury Time Outs

It doesn't end with "Time out." It clarifies what timeouts it wants the clock stopped on. Perhaps it wasn't given a great deal of thought and maybe will be changed, but for now, I stand by what I said we will do. I'm all for "intent" of the rule and all that -- and if it listed "time out" only, you'd be right. But we first go by the express reading and for some reason, TAPPS has told us when to stop it, and after scores is not listed.

Besides, to me, that would defeat the intent of the rule -- a team ahead by 40 obviously can score and may score a lot more. If the clock doesn't stop, its hard to understand the purpose of the rule in those cases.

I don't read b and c as being clarification of a.  I read b and c as being what they think are not  covered by a

There are no mercy rules in existence that I am aware of which do not permit clock stoppage after scoring plays     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercy_rule#American_football

[Joe Stack]

I don't read it as a clarification either. I read it as 3 distinct events as its written. Perhaps that's not the intent, but unless we have more information from TAPPS, I don't see how you can read it any other way. It seems silly to run the clock during a try when the rules call for an untimed down but to stop it immediately after that play when there is no rule provision calling for a time out in that instance. Besides -- remember the intent of the rule: to get the game over asap and (hopefully) keep the score from getting any wider.

The Colorado rule says it does not stop on "scores," then says it stops on "Timeouts (charged and injury)."
http://www.chsaa.org/sports/football/pdf/2012FB/2012FootballBulletin.pdf

If you feel the need to stop the clock in these instances, do so. Unless I'm told otherwise by someone at TAPPS or our board, I won't.

[TXMike]

I did not say stop on the try.  I said stop AFTER the try when there is a timeout/intermission by rule.

[Kalle]

TXMike, if you read the "a. Time Outs" clause to mean all actual timeouts, doesn't that mean that you should continue to stop the clock according the rules, as all clock stoppages are timeouts, 3-3-1?

[TXMike]

No  You have to understand the intent and also consider the people who wrote the rule are not officials.  I don't know many lay people who would consider the time it takes to move the chains after a 1st down is a "timeout".   Nor do I know many who would say the interval after a scrimmage kick down ends and the next snap is a  "timeout"    I do think most of them would say there is a "timeout" after a Try, field goal or safety

[mishatx]

  I do think most of them would say there is a "timeout" after a Try, field goal or safety

I would think most of them would think "timeout" means a charged team timeout.

[TXMike]

For some reason, a television station decides to televise a TAPPS game,  In the 2d half the mercy rule is in effect.  The red hat calls for a media timeout.   Does the clock stop?

[TXMike]

As usual, TAPPS responded very quickly.  No wonder we are able to work with them so much better than with UIL.  From Mr. Burleson:

Mike,
I reviewed the Board Minutes when this rule was adopted and it states that the clock will stop
For all timeouts, so yes, it WILL stop during the one minute after the extra point and before the kick-off.

[Arbitrator]

As usual, TAPPS responded very quickly.  No wonder we are able to work with them so much better than with UIL.

Yeah, the minions over there on Manor Road  really don't like to communicate with officiating organizations unless they can find a new and creative way to extract additional dues and fees out of them!   

[Etref]

Wish NCAA had the same rule............... had a 70-7 the other day.