Starting the clock on the ready vs. winding the clock

[Official_21]

I just came back to Football Officiating, after doing it for 2 years <2004-2006, had some personal issues to take care of>.

One of my weak points, was when the clock starts on the snap vs winding the clock.

The only time I know that you wind the clock is after a 1st down.

If I recall correctly, if it is an incomplete pass, timeout or ball out of bounds, the clock starts on the ready?

If not, could someone please correct me.

[TXMike]

Texas HS rules?

[Official_21]

Yes, Texas HS rules 

[TXMike]

Incomplete legal fwd pass - start in the snap

Charged team timeout - start on the snap

Loose ball out of bounds - start on the ready if it was a fumble that went forward and out, start on the snap if it was a fumble that went backwards and out.   Start on the snap if it was a kick that went out.  Start on the snap if it was a backwards pass that went out. 

       

[Official_21]

Thanks.

And just to clarify, does start on the ready mean the same thing as wind the clock?

[TXMike]

Yep  Wind the clock and the game clock and play clock should both start

[Official_21]

Alright, got that all down in a word document for future reference.

Thanks once again TXMike.

[TXMike]

Texas HS football has stayed with the NCAA timing rules as of 2005.  Attached is that portion of the 2005 rulebook

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Official_21]

That pdf file is  even better, I can put that on my cell phone and refer to it if I need to while I am out and about <not during a game of course >.

[clearwall]

Had some trouble in the last week with R's not knowing what the "winding signal" and crossed wrists meant when I had a player OOB or IB near the sideline...

[CenTexTM]

Where is this in the mechanics manual?  I've tried to find it, and can find a reference to the winding signal if a ball carrier is down in bounds near the sideline, but I cannot find any reference to the crossed wrists.  When would the crossed wrists be used?  If the ball carrier is out of bounds, it seems like S3 alone should be used.  I think the mechanics manual specifically mentions that if the ball carrier is down between the 9 yard marks and the sideline but has crossed the line to gain, then a winding signal followed by S3 should be used. 

It makes me feel somewhat better that people experienced enough to be white hats are also unfamiliar with this mechanic, but I'd really like to solidify the correct use before I go too much further... 

[El Macman]

Where is this in the mechanics manual?  I've tried to find it, and can find a reference to the winding signal if a ball carrier is down in bounds near the sideline, but I cannot find any reference to the crossed wrists.  When would the crossed wrists be used?  If the ball carrier is out of bounds, it seems like S3 alone should be used.  I think the mechanics manual specifically mentions that if the ball carrier is down between the 9 yard marks and the sideline but has crossed the line to gain, then a winding signal followed by S3 should be used. 

It makes me feel somewhat better that people experienced enough to be white hats are also unfamiliar with this mechanic, but I'd really like to solidify the correct use before I go too much further...

CenTexTM, this isn't a formal technique recorded in a manual. Like many techniques, it is largely a matter of personal taste. But, virtually all crews (all levels and rules) like to communicate clock status to one another - especially to the R - by using signals to let him know if the clock is to start on the snap or on his signal. Crossed wrists is the generally accepted signal for indicating the clock should remain stopped until the next snap. Some crews snap their fingers to indicate for this, but that is a bit harder to see sometimes, and it may look like a finger twirl, which is the generally accepted signal to start the clock on the ready-for-play signal.
Another signal you won't find in a manual is the two-minute timing reminder (we touch our shoulders with two fingers). (Note: Does not apply for Texas HS rules.) I'm sure other folks have other signals they use to help each other work a better game.

[JasonTX]

Where is this in the mechanics manual?  I've tried to find it, and can find a reference to the winding signal if a ball carrier is down in bounds near the sideline, but I cannot find any reference to the crossed wrists.  When would the crossed wrists be used?  If the ball carrier is out of bounds, it seems like S3 alone should be used.  I think the mechanics manual specifically mentions that if the ball carrier is down between the 9 yard marks and the sideline but has crossed the line to gain, then a winding signal followed by S3 should be used. 

It makes me feel somewhat better that people experienced enough to be white hats are also unfamiliar with this mechanic, but I'd really like to solidify the correct use before I go too much further...

He is referring to the discrete signals that the wing will use to give to the R when the clock should be on the snap or on the ready.  I would have confused on the crossed wrists signal as well.  As an R I may not be looking at the wing when he gives the S3 so I need to know so when I look at him he can give me his signal.  I prefer my wings to just place their hand over their watch for starting on the snap and or twirl their finger for starting on the ready.  I cover these signals in pregames because we don't usually work with the same guy each week.

[Welpe]

Some common signals I've seen around here from the wing to the R are hands at the sides, palms facing the sidelines while moving the arms back to indicate out of bounds and hands at the sides with palms forward pushing towards the field to indicate inbounds.

[CenTexTM]

That makes sense.  So in the absence of anything official, discuss it in pregame and then give the signal after the ball is set and you're back on the sideline?

[JasonTX]

That makes sense.  So in the absence of anything official, discuss it in pregame and then give the signal after the ball is set and you're back on the sideline?

That is correct.  The R should be looking for you.

[GWK]

My crew uses the palms down for OB or palms to me for IB signal.  That's all I need to know what to do with the clock.

I always thought the crossed wrists signal was reminder to each other that the stake we were close to after a play was the back stake and nobody kill the clock for a potential first down.

[TexDoc]

Geoff, my crew tells me the clock should run by twirling a finger to indicate a running clock.  They cross arms to let me know to not wind.  I guess whatever works for each crew is good as long as you come up with something.