40/ 25 -SECOND PLAY CLOCK OPERATORS
A. The 40 / 25 second visual play clocks is the official delay-of-game timepiece and is operated by an assigned play clock operator under the supervision of the Back
Judge. The play clock operator will report to Referee and/or Back Judge 1 hour and 15 minutes prior to the game. He will be instructed when to set the displays to 40 / 25-seconds.
B. 40-SECOND PLAY CLOCK
1. When an official signals that the ball is dead, the play clock shall begin a 40-second count.
2. If the 40-second clock does not start or the count is interrupted for reasons beyond the control of the officials or the play-clock operator (e.g., clock malfunction), the referee shall stop the game clock and signal (both palms open in an over-the-head pumping motion) that the play clock should be re-set at 40 seconds and started immediately.
3. In the event that the 40-second clock is running and the ball is not ready to be snapped after 20 seconds into the count, the referee shall declare a timeout and signal (one open palm in an over-the-head pumping motion) that the play clock be set at 25 seconds . When play is to be resumed, the referee will give the ready-for-play signal [S1] and the play clock shall begin the 25-second count. The game clock will start on the snap unless it had been running when the referee declared a timeout; in that case, it will start on the referee’s signal.
C. 25-SECOND PLAY CLOCK
If the officials signal the game clock to be stopped for any of the following reason, the referee shall signal (one open palm in an over-the-head pumping motion) that the clock should be set at 25 seconds:
1. Penalty administration.
2. Charged team timeout.
3. Media timeout.
4. Injury timeout for a Team A player only. The play clock is set to 40 seconds for an injury to a player of Team B
5. Measurement.
6. Change of possession.
7. After a kick down.
8. Score.
9. Start of each period.
10. Start of a team’s possession series in an extra period.
11. Instant replay review.
12. Other administrative stoppage.
When play is to be resumed, the referee will give the ready-for-play signal [S1] and the play clock will begin the 25-second count.
D. Other play clock responsibilities
1. Leave the displays at :00 seconds if there is a delay of game penalty until the Referee has completed his signals to the press box after the enforcement of the delay penalty then set the play clock to 25 seconds.
2. Reset the displays immediately to 40 seconds when the ball is put play if there is no delay foul.
3. To reset the displays at 40 seconds or 25-seconds anytime the Referee interrupts the play clock count. Do not reset too soon since there may be a need to use the elapsed time to correct timing errors on the game clock.
4. If a visual 40/25-second timing device becomes inoperative, both coaches shall be notified by the referee immediately and both clocks shall be turned off. The Back Judge will be responsible for manually timing the count until both play clocks become operational. Note: The Back Judge will raise one arm straight overhead during the last 10-seconds and out to the side during the last five seconds. will visually count down the last 5-seconds by giving a one handed wave countdown signal.
5. When you believe that the play clocks are working properly, notify the P.A. Announcer to inform the officials/crowd that the play clocks appear to be working. Upon hearing the announcement the Referee will point in your direction and the play clocks will be official again.
6. If the official(s) stop the game clock for a pile-up do not stop the 40 second play clock (AR 3-3-1-IV). If there is a delay by the officials the play clock shall be stopped by the Referee for administrative stoppage and will be set to 25 seconds on the Referee ready for play signal.
7. When the game clock is running and there is less than 40 seconds left in the quarter, the play clock should be shut off. If the game clock is not running, the play clock will be operational.
8. Timing errors on the play clocks may be corrected by the Referee.
9. In an overtime situation the 40/25 play clocks shall operate as usual.
