6-man play clock...

[Official_21]

Is the play clock used in 6-man football during the regular season?

I noticed that the play clock was used in the 6-man state championship game highlights I was watching.

I have been assigned to a 6-man game next month and I am the only clock operator assigned (game clock), there is no play clock operator assigned.
I would assume at this point, a play clock would depend on if the field had one already or not?

And if there are no visible play clocks, who keeps the play clock on a crew of four?

[ElvisLives]

6 player football uses the same 40 second and 25 second timing for Team A to put the ball in play for each down, for all UIL/TAPPS football contests.
At those fields without visible play clocks, the game officials must perform this timing on the field. The official responsible for this timing varies with crew size, and is specified in the TASO manuals.

[dammitbobby]

For 4 man crews, if there is no playclock, R is supposed to be the keeper of time for the playclock, if not present or working on the field. 

That said, in my experience, if there's no visible clock, and no one has a ref smart timer, R keeps the time; if somebody has one, usually the BJ runs it. 

No idea why, its just the way I've seen things done.

[ElvisLives]

For 4 man crews, if there is no playclock, R is supposed to be the keeper of time for the playclock, if not present or working on the field. 

That said, in my experience, if there's no visible clock, and no one has a ref smart timer, R keeps the time; if somebody has one, usually the BJ runs it. 

No idea why, its just the way I've seen things done.

The TASO Manual for Crews of 4 says something very different, and it tells us how we are to do things. I'm not going to tell you what it says. That's why we have manuals, so you can look those things up yourself, and so that we are all doing things the same way.
I challenge you to read up on this, and report back.

[dammitbobby]

2019 TASO 4-man mechanics crew manual, page 20:


ARTICLE 3. PLAY (25/40-SECOND) CLOCK)

B.6  That if there is a malfunction, both clocks will be turned off until the problem is
corrected. Both coaches will be notified if the field play clock is no longer
official. The play count will then be restarted at plays with the R manually
timing the count on his watch.

I don't see anything specifically addressing if there is no play clock available on the field, this is as close as I could tell?

[ElvisLives]

2019 TASO 4-man mechanics crew manual, page 20:


ARTICLE 3. PLAY (25/40-SECOND) CLOCK)

B.6  That if there is a malfunction, both clocks will be turned off until the problem is
corrected. Both coaches will be notified if the field play clock is no longer
official. The play count will then be restarted at plays with the R manually
timing the count on his watch.

I don't see anything specifically addressing if there is no play clock available on the field, this is as close as I could tell?

You guys give up too easily. Its there. Keep reading.

[dammitbobby]

C2:  In obvious field goal and scrimmage kick situations or when there is no field play clock, the R may assume responsibility for the count.

So that establishes that the R has responsibility for the playclock.

I'm not sure why you think what I said was so out of line/incorrect?  The only differing statement was that, in games I have been in, the BJ usually does it? 

I wasn't stating that it was correct, just that has been my experience (which is why I worded it that way)

[ElvisLives]

C2:  In obvious field goal and scrimmage kick situations or when there is no field play clock, the R may assume responsibility for the count.

So that establishes that the R has responsibility for the playclock.

I'm not sure why you think what I said was so out of line/incorrect?  The only differing statement was that, in games I have been in, the BJ usually does it? 

I wasn't stating that it was correct, just that has been my experience (which is why I worded it that way)

-----------------------------------------------
Thankfully, the 2020 manual contains no changes from 2019.

Don't take this so personally, 'cause it ain't just you. I'm just rattling cages, to get folks to be a bit more proactive about doing their homework, and being certain about what the current manuals, in particular, specify. Some really good people have put a lot time into developing those manuals, for the primary purpose of promoting consistency among the entire TASO membership. If my 'encouragement' got you (or anyone else) to get into the manual, then I have succeeded. Almost all of the answers folks need regarding mechanics are in the manuals, if they will just take the time, and put in the effort, to study them. And this applies to very seasoned veterans, to those with little experience, and everyone in between.

Am I being abrasive? Maybe. But I got your attention. This isn't about me. It is about all TASO members, in our quest to achieve exceptional excellence, if not true perfection, to honor the greats that have gone before us, and the game of football, itself.

If you are working tonight, be safe, work hard, and have fun.

[dammitbobby]

Not taken personally at all, I appreciate all the effort you put into here to help make it easier for guys like me still learning, to do so; you (and many others) don't replace  looking things up in the rule book or mechanics manual, but you do add context , which is immensely helpful.  It's one thing to look up and read a rule or mechanic, it's another to understand it to where you can successfully apply it.

Just last week I was talking with a whitehat, about some inconsistencies amongst whitehats in our chapter, and his expectation that ALL whitehats should be providing direct feedback to new members, about mechanics - he said there's a thousand little things you can do, to make you and your crew look sharp and professional, that aren't necessarily in the mechanics manuals, and that's what they should also be communicating. 

I like that you challenged me on this, as I truly want to get it right, and get better.  But I am still not understanding why you said the mechanics manual said something very different than what I originally stated, that R has playclock responsibilities on the field.

[ElvisLives]

I was just pointing out the fact that the manual says something quite different than what you say you have seen being done. We should follow the manual. If folks don't like what's in the manual, and they think they have a better way, they can make a proposal to the Mechanics Committee for change, complete with rational by experience. But, until it is changed, do what the manual prescribes.