Using 40/25 sec playclock, when field has no visible clocks?

[Alminox]

Greetings.

I am wondering how you keep trick of the 20 sec time limit during the 40 sec cycle, before which the ball must be spotted?

I know that belt clip timers like Ready-ref and Refsmart are used extensively, but I have purchased these and they do not give a 20 sec warning...

Is this a flaw in the design or do you know the logical reason for not including this feature?

Thank you in advance.
Peter

[Bitsy Arena]

On this side of the Atlantic, I have taken to trialling this http://www.sarabec.com/vib-timer/p393 and setting it to whatever seconds I need, then when this goes off I switch to this https://www.casio.co.uk/products/timepieces/sports-gear//Product/RFT-100-2VER/

I am sure that these or similar are available in the US

[Alminox]

I am officiating in Denmark and also use the Casio Phys RFT-100, but I am not very happy with it... When set to vibrate, it does not indicate activation as it does with a beep, when not set to vibrate... Thus I have to look down to ensure activation of countdown actually happened..

I am wanting a smarter solution, with both 25 and 40 sec options included and easily accessible...

I an however wondering why the 20 sec warning is not included in the currently available commercial options.

[Bitsy Arena]

The VIB timer actually does vibrate when you start it, but agree with the Casio. On second thoughts you can modify the Casio to vibrate after 1 second, then 19 seconds later, then 10 seconds after that

[Alminox]

I am hoping there is a logical reason why non of the smarter alternatives include the 20 sec limit...

[clearwall]

I know that belt clip timers like Ready-ref and Refsmart are used extensively, but I have purchased these and they do not give a 20 sec warning...

Actually it does. When you set for the 25-sec, it will buzz at 15(to indicate 10-sec remaining) and again at 20 and will continue to buzz for 5 secs.

[Alminox]

But it should vibrate after 20 sec during the 40 sec cycle, because that is time limit for spotting the ball... If this time is exceeded, then the referee calls a discretionary timeout and THEN switches to the 25 sec play clock

[Rulesman]

But it should vibrate after 20 sec during the 40 sec cycle, because that is time limit for spotting the ball... If this time is exceeded, then the referee calls a discretionary timeout and THEN switches to the 25 sec play clock

I may be wrong but I don't believe there is a formal rule that mandates the play clock be reset after a certain amount of time in these situations. A common practice mechanically? Yes. A formal rule? I don't believe so.

[Legacy Zebra]

3-2-4-b-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 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."

[Alminox]

Exactly what Legacy Zebra said!!

Not to offend anyone, but it sounds like it was not included, because no one thought of it... Is this rule just not enforced?

[clearwall]

Oh, ok I misunderstood why you were asking and what you were trying to accomplish. Do you have a problem with that where you work? Who's fault is it that the ball is not being spotted in 15-20 secs? If it's y'all(the officials) I think you need to work better on getting it done. If it's the teams...maybe some warning and then just let the PC run out and flag it.

What you COULD do, if this is an issue for you...always run the 25 second button. When it buzzes, hit the reset button and hit it again. The next time it buzzes will be for 40. Of course, this way, you lose the 10-sec warning.

[Alminox]

The 40/25 sec play clock will probably be implemented in the IFAF rules next season. I am trying to figure a way/tool to best help crews work according the these new rules.

I am sure that 20 secs are plenty time to spot the ball 99.9% of the time... But we need a tool that helps that 0.01%

[Thagrosh]

Not sure this solves your problem, but:
Here in Norway we have used the 40/25 play clock for a few years now. No teams have any visible play clocks so the play clock is kept by the R. Here is what works for me with the RFT100 set to vibrate:

I set it with 3 intervals. First is 15 sec, second is 10 sec and third is 10 sec, for a total of 35 secs. What I quickly discovered was that it was impossible to reset it (if needed) and start it exactly when the play ended. So when the play is over I wait for 5 secs and then start the counting down. So when it vibrates for the first time I know 20 seconds have gone. Next time it vibrates I yell '10 seconds', and when it vibrates for the final time, which is a long vibrate, it is time to throw that flag if they are not snapping. And if it is a 25 sec play clock the first vibrate is '10 seconds' and second vibrate a possible flag.

[Kalle]

I don't really bother with the 20s issue when using the 40s play clock with no visible play clocks. It's rare enough occurrence that the few extra seconds lost (if the game clock is running, which it probably isn't, as these are most likely long incomplete passes) don't really matter, if you give team A a few "extra" seconds.

[Joe Stack]

My suggestion is to use the ReadyRef or RefSmart in conjunction with a watch set to 18 seconds. Click the belt timer off, then the watch IF there is a chance the ball won't be spotted in time. For most plays, this isn't an issue. Out of all my games this year, I think we might have had one play clock reset needed.

The other thing you can do is to start a count in your head when the ball is spotted; if you can't count to 10 when you get the first buzz, then you need to add 5 seconds when the time is up (like you'd reset to 25 at 20).

[Rulesman]

3-2-4-b-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 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."

I stand corrected. Thanks. 


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