Clocks, Helmets, Injuries and Zaps

[Hursk]

Ok, I've "grammared" myself into a hole in looking at the '13 changes to Article 3 concerning the language 'other than injury/helmet off of him or teammate.'
(3-3-5)New paragraph f
f. If the player injury is the only reason for stopping the clock (other than his or a teammate’s helmet coming off, Rule 3-3-9) with less than one minute in the half, the opponent has the option of a 10-second runoff. The play clock will be set to 40 seconds for an injury to a player of the defensive team and to 25 seconds for injury to a player of the offensive team (Rule 3-2-4-c-4). 
and 3-3-9 b. When the helmet coming off is the only reason for stopping the clock, other than due to an injury to the player or his teammate (Rule 3-3-5), the following….[/size]"
Assume all under 1min, running clock, no other "clock stoppers":
1. A helmet off, B injury.  Zap? PC at?
2. A helmet off, B helmet off
3. A injury, A helmet off.
4. A helmet off, A injury.
5. B helmet off, B injury.
5. B injury, B helmet off.

I'm sure this is simple, but I've developed thinker's block...
B

[NVFOA_Ump]

In all of these cases can't we simply say that in the last minute of a half, if either team causes the clock to stop due to a helmet off and/or an injury, the opposing team has the 10 second runoff option if they have neither a helmet off or an injury?

[Hursk]

Sounds good to me....

[sj_31]

If we stop the clock for a potential -10 runoff, whether for injury or a helmet off, will the PC always be set to 25 regardless of team? In other words, is it only set to 40 for the defense when outside of a min. in the half?

[RazorRef]

So, currently there is a difference in the play clock when we have a zap situation under a minute.  If we have an injury that stops the clock and we have a zap10 situation, then A could legally run 0:50 off the clock.  For instance:

A - 3/10 @ A40.  A30 runs for a 5 yard gain and is tackled inbounds.  B40 is injured on the play.  B is out of timeouts.  0:55 remains on the clock.

Result:  A can take the 0:10 second runoff and the clock will be on the ready.  The play clock is set to 0:40.

So, A will not have to snap until the 0:05 mark. 

Helmets off are different.  Rule 3-2-4-c-13 specifically states that if there is a zap situation when a helmet comes off, the play clock is set to 0:25 regardless of team.  So, same play with helmet instead of injury...

A - 3/10 @ A40.  A30 runs for a 5 yard gain and is tackled inbounds.  B40's helmet comes off during play.  B is out of timeouts.  0:55 remains on the clock.

Result:  A can take the 0:10 second runoff and the clock will be on the ready.  The play clock is set to 0:25.

So, A will now have to snap until the 0:20 mark. 

[sj_31]

On one hand I would agree with you. However, for the sake of discussion, and the reason I posted this as I'm still a bit confused, is due to the new editorial language in rule 2-20 which adds that a 10 second subtraction is now considered a penalty by definition. If that's the case, then do we reset the PC to 25 per 3-2-4-c-1 if the offense accepts a 10 sec runoff? Obviously if they don't take the -10 then it will be a 25 sec clock and GC on the snap.

[Kalle]

If we stop the clock for a potential -10 runoff, whether for injury or a helmet off, will the PC always be set to 25 regardless of team? In other words, is it only set to 40 for the defense when outside of a min. in the half?

The play clock is set to 25 if the only reason to stop the clock is a helmet off. For injury it is set to 25 for team A injuries and 40 for team B. See rules 3-2-5-f-2 and 3-3-9-b-2.