35 point rule

[Bubba Ump]

How many times does the 35th point sale wide right at the end of the third quarter.  I'd love to propose the rule that the 35 point deficit counts down with the play clock.  11 minutes left - 34 points. 10 minutes left - 33 points...  Whoever came up with 35 points nailed it.  34 points is just enough to convince the losing coach to call three straight pass plays that take 15 seconds off the clock and give the winning teams third stingers an chance to go three and out.  I know this will never happen but you gotta dream.  The beverage is not getting any colder...

[ncwingman]

I don't know man. I don't have anywhere else to be on a Friday night.

The only time I'd ever be looking to get a game over with ASAP is if it's clearly been decided (multiple score differential with <5 minutes left) and it's starting to get (or it has been) chippy and every remaining play is just a chance for a cheap shot and a fight.

If it's just a mismatch and both teams and being good sports, just let 'em play, especially if it's the second and third stringers in getting their only snaps of the season.

[Derek Teigen]

we were within 1 score of a running clock in the first quarter (30-0)!!  and the game ended up something like 52-41. I'm glad the game did not go to a running clock.   I am thinking that the team that is behind by 35 or more should have the say in whether or not the game goes to a running clock or not.

[Ralph Damren]

This is a" state's rights" rule and lobbying your state may bring a change. In Maine ,our 35 point spread has to occur in the 2nd half and if the lead dwindles back under 35, the teams can choose to go back to regular time.
I had one this year where a team that was leading by 38 gave up a TD. Before the kickoff I inquired to the trailing team's coach : "Your team's not trailing by 35 anymore. You can now go back to regular time." He responded : "Ayuh, 'spect so. " The kickoff was returned for a TD...end of story   .

[HLinNC]

NC has 42 pts after halftime, no going back if under.  We have a WH that advocates for 40.  He says that the running clock situation should not depend on the vagaries of a high school kicker making all his PAT's.

[bama_stripes]

We have no “point differential” policy, but frequently the coaches will agree to some combination of shortened quarters/running clock in the second half of blowout games.

If the winning coach won’t agree, my crew goes to “Jim timing” — everything is inbounds, the clock barely stops on first downs, and pre-1996 timing rules on COPs.

[HLinNC]

“Jim timing”

We used to use "old clock rules" for quite a while after '96 for JV and MS but eventually had to time under the current timing rules.  When we get to that netherworld of a blowout but not yet a 42 point spread, it can still "rise from the dead."  Sadly, there aren't many guys still around that know what I'm talking about when I say "revert to old timing rules".

[ilyazhito]

To this day, Montgomery County uses old timing rules for JV games. VA also reverts to old timing rules when the 35-point rule is effect, and also runs the clock except for TIPS. Between the score and kickoff, the clock is stopped. 

[Etref]

Texas 6 man football has a similar Mercy rule. Once ahead by 40 after halftime or at half, game is over.

Prior to half the team ahead will intentionally drop a pick 6 because half of the team is also marching at half time performance. Come back and run back the open kickoff to capped the Mercy rule and end the game!

Send it happen a couple of times.

[riffraft]

In AZ it is 42 point.  If it happens in the first half and the losing team brings it below 42 it reverts back to regular time.  If it is 42 in the 2nd half, it continues tp be running even if the deficit falls below 42.

[KWH]

OREGON
We just reduced our running clock rule from 45 points to 35 points. Greatest change since slice bread.

Ours is in effect at halftime or anytime beyond and their is NO going back.
Clock continues running after a touchdown and until the completion of the try, when it stops, momentarily, as it restarts again on the RFP for the subsequent kickoff.
Clock does not stop for a first down or OOB
Clock runs through penalty enforcement
Clock only stops for Injuries, Timeouts, and end of the third period, (restarts on the RFP for the start of 4th period)

[ncwingman]

NC has 42 pts after halftime, no going back if under.  We have a WH that advocates for 40.  He says that the running clock situation should not depend on the vagaries of a high school kicker making all his PAT's.

I was once in a game that was 35-0 with 1 minute left in the half, and the losing team had the ball. Their QB threw an interception (the DB was *wide open*, but I don't think it was intentional) so the winning team had 50-ish yards to go to score with time running out in the half. Two long pass plays later they did and they hit the magic 42. As they're going off for halftime, the losing coach (my sideline) said "Oh, thank god they scored..."

[refjeff]

In Ohio it is 30 points.

A running clock by rule in the second half, in the first half only if both coaches agree.  (Our crew does not ask.  We let the HC approach us.)

If the lead goes under 30 we revert to normal timing.

Works for us.

[HLinNC]

"Oh, thank god they scored..."

The coach of our most dominant team in the region hates it and is known to botch tries on purpose to keep from getting there.   He's one of those that thinks you can't put the back-ups in until under 4:00 in the 4th quarter

[bama_stripes]

The coach of our most dominant team in the region hates it and is known to botch tries on purpose to keep from getting there.   He's one of those that thinks you can't put the back-ups in until under 4:00 in the 4th quarter

This happens in some of our youth games, where the differential is 28 points.  It’s particularly galling during the last game of the day when it’s 90*.

[stevegarbs]

OREGON
We just reduced our running clock rule from 45 points to 35 points. Greatest change since slice bread.

Ours is in effect at halftime or anytime beyond and their is NO going back.
Clock continues running after a touchdown and until the completion of the try, when it stops, momentarily, as it restarts again on the RFP for the subsequent kickoff.
Clock does not stop for a first down or OOB
Clock runs through penalty enforcement
Clock only stops for Injuries, Timeouts, and end of the third period, (restarts on the RFP for the start of 4th period)

This is glorious. I wish we had this part of the rule in Illinois!

[fudilligas]

FL has 35 points differential anytime in the 2nd half....no going back

[CalhounLJ]

We have no “point differential” policy, but frequently the coaches will agree to some combination of shortened quarters/running clock in the second half of blowout games.

If the winning coach won’t agree, my crew goes to “Jim timing” — everything is inbounds, the clock barely stops on first downs, and pre-1996 timing rules on COPs.

This is us. Exactly