10-second runoff for injury

[Osric Pureheart]

Hi guys

We had a situation yesterday here in England where we tripped over AR 3-3-5 IX.

3-3-5-f-1

If the player injury is the only reason for stopping the clock (other than his or a teammate's helmet coming off, Rule 3-3-9) with less than one minute in the half, the opponent has the option of a 10-second subtraction.

...

Late in the half, ball carrier A35 is tackled beyond the line to gain. B79 goes to the ground with an injury. RULING: There is no option for a 10-second subtraction because the game clock stops on the first down as well as the injury. The game clock starts on the referee's signal.

We had almost exactly this situation except it was A20 being injured, and my L's argument was that we could Zap 10 on the grounds that it may not have been the only reason we stopped the clock, but it was the only reason that we couldn't start it again.  Of course the rulebook says otherwise, but does anyone know what the reasoning is for it being the way it is?  He's having trouble understanding the logic behind it.

[Magician]

Hi guys

We had a situation yesterday here in England where we tripped over AR 3-3-5 IX.

We had almost exactly this situation except it was A20 being injured, and my L's argument was that we could Zap 10 on the grounds that it may not have been the only reason we stopped the clock, but it was the only reason that we couldn't start it again.  Of course the rulebook says otherwise, but does anyone know what the reasoning is for it being the way it is?  He's having trouble understanding the logic behind it.

This rule was to prevent a team from faking an injury to stop the clock to get their next play ready or time to substitute on defense. If the offense gained a first down and there was an injury, 10-second edition is not an option.

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[bossman72]

I hate how stopping the clock for a first down comes into play for 10 sec runoffs.  I think that should be ignored (along with other "minor" clock stoppers).

[Magician]

I hate how stopping the clock for a first down comes into play for 10 sec runoffs.  I think that should be ignored (along with other "minor" clock stoppers).

It makes sense because a first down allows the clock to stop and everyone to get set, address subs, etc.  There is no incentive at that point for either team to fake an injury to stop the clock. It's already stopped.

[bossman72]

It makes sense because a first down allows the clock to stop and everyone to get set, address subs, etc.  There is no incentive at that point for either team to fake an injury to stop the clock. It's already stopped.

It's stopped briefly.  Not nearly as much time as an injury would afford.

[Magician]

It's stopped briefly.  Not nearly as much time as an injury would afford.

But that's usually all they need if they are running a hurry up (offense).  It will usually save at least 8-10 seconds of clock time.

[Andrew McCarthy]

I can see bossman's point on this one.  The injury is certainly giving them additional time to take a deep breath and discuss strategy for the next down.

My guess is this will go away in the next couple years because I'm hearing rumors of them getting rid of a clock stoppage for a first down.