:40 Play Clock after B Fouls

[zebrastripes]

Are crews / play clock operators in your area correctly setting the play clock to :40 after fouls committed by the defense? I have noticed in my area that a bunch of people either flat out don’t know or don’t care to correctly apply the rule.

In practical terms, this rule really only makes sense when (1) the game clock will start on the ready and (2) A would otherwise not be able to consume a full 40 seconds between plays. Having to go to a :40 play clock after a B encroachment foul is stupid regardless of the status of the game clock. I would support dumping this rule and going to a consistent :25 after all penalty administration, the way it used to be and the way it is at the other levels.

[ncwingman]

It's a struggle, yes. However, it's hardly the only issue with play clock operators. If the play clock operator is bad enough that it's a problem, I have no qualms about just "firing" them and keeping it on the field.

I don't feel the need to rewrite the rule book since the problem is that it's some volunteer parent doing it, not an official. If we change the rules, they won't know those rules either.

[zebrastripes]

For the record, I was running a plsy clock earlier this year and in every instance where B had an injury or foul, the R would pump me DOWN from :40 to :25 incorrectly. It’s not just the volunteer operators who don’t know the rule.

[bama_stripes]

The problem I notice more frequently is the PCO setting to :40 when B commits a dead-ball foul after a COP or timeout.  Team A was only entitled to :25, and the foul doesn’t change that.

[Steely Dan]

If there's a foul or injury by B, we do 25 if game clock is on the snap and 40 if game clock on the ready.  I don't know if that's textbook or not, but that's how they teach it here (New Orleans area).  Clock operators are mostly rookie officials and typically clueless, so to expect them to decipher the upcoming game clock status and then set the play clock accordingly is a bit of a stretch.....  White hat usually pumps one or two hands to guide them as well.

[zebrastripes]

The problem I notice more frequently is the PCO setting to :40 when B commits a dead-ball foul after a COP or timeout.  Team A was only entitled to :25, and the foul doesn’t change that.

Yep, the book is clear that :25 supersedes :40 even if some don’t agree. I would still propose just going to :25 after all penalty administration with the option for :40 on B fouls when the game clock is starting on the ready inside of 2:00. We already have the option for the offended team to start the game clock on the snap inside of 2:00, so why would this be any different?

[ncwingman]

If there's a foul or injury by B, we do 25 if game clock is on the snap and 40 if game clock on the ready.  I don't know if that's textbook or not, but that's how they teach it here (New Orleans area).

It is not textbook, no.

Clock operators are mostly rookie officials and typically clueless, so to expect them to decipher the upcoming game clock status and then set the play clock accordingly is a bit of a stretch.....  White hat usually pumps one or two hands to guide them as well.

I don't really begrudge people for not knowing. What really grinds my gears is when they also aren't watching us pump to tell them what to do when it is wrong -- that's when I start to consider "firing" them.