My game last night and a question...

[Official_21]

I made a small mistake in running the game clock at a game I worked yesterday.

I left one second on the clock at the end of the first quarter. It did not affect the outcome of the game, but I have been  myself for making that error.

The referee in that game did say, at half time, other than that small error, I was doing a good job and gave me a tip. Always have situational awareness. I really appreciated him giving that tip, especially since this is my first year operating the clocks.

I am always looking for opportunities to learn, especially from more experienced clock operators, as well as working more games on the clock (although I need to try to get ore games on the play clock next season, so I can get experience with that, as most of my games are on the game clock this season).

I do enjoy running the clocks, is it an easy job? No of course not, but I aspire to ascend to the next level eventually and run clocks at the college level (If I can't be an on field official at the college level why not work to become an off field official). I know it is a long and winding road, but one I am willing to work hard and go down.

Now on to my question:
At half-time the play clock operator was replaced by the scoreboard operator (Who is a member of the OUR LOCAL chapter of course and not a parent or coach) due to him (The play clock operator) having issues running the play clock (as the R put it, he was all over the place) and both coaches were complaining to some of the on field officials about the situation mentioned above.
I take it, since we are part of the crew, we can be replaced at any time by the R? Does this happen at the college level too (IE Replacing a clock operator due to poor performance)?




EDIT BY Etref——- we do not mention chapter or officials by name

[HLinNC]

Not all schools use officials as ECO or PCO's.  Its entirely up to the schools in our area.  We don't have enough officials to run clocks anyway.  If any clock operator is an official, he would fall under the jurisdiction of the referee.  If not, best he can do is have them be kept either/or on the field.

As for college, I'm not sure at all levels but FCS and FBS tend to use officials or developmental officials on the clock(s).

[Official_21]

As for college, I'm not sure at all levels but FCS and FBS tend to use officials or developmental officials on the clock(s).

I will be happy even working the clocks at the Junior College level if I can't get into the NCAA 

Still have a lot to learn before hand though and do some research as well 

[InsideTheStripes]

To answer your question, referees can't simply replace GCO/PCO's at higher levels. Even if they wanted to, there's likely no one more qualified in the stadium.

[Official_21]

To answer your question, referees can't simply replace GCO/PCO's at higher levels. Even if they wanted to, there's likely no one more qualified in the stadium.

Good point, never thought of that.

[refjeff]

I'm really confused.  Why was it a mistake to leave 1 second on the clock? 

Twice in the last 3 seasons our crew has corrected the time by putting 1 second back on the clock.

[JasonTX]

I'm really confused.  Why was it a mistake to leave 1 second on the clock? 

Twice in the last 3 seasons our crew has corrected the time by putting 1 second back on the clock.

It all falls under that situational awareness.  Team A just ran a play that gained several yards downfield for a 1st down.  Squeeze that extra second off and change ends to start next quarter.  During crunch time at the end of the 2nd and 4th then we'll be more meticulous with the seconds.

[refjeff]

You run the clock when it should be stopped so that you can get home a minute or two sooner?

[JasonTX]

You run the clock when it should be stopped so that you can get home a minute or two sooner?

30 to 29 score no.  65 to 0, run that second off.

[InsideTheStripes]

You run the clock when it should be stopped so that you can get home a minute or two sooner?

As others have said, you have to have situational awareness. I once stopped a clock with one second on it going into halftime. It was an NFL preseason game and the ball had been dead for 2-3 seconds. Both coaches were HACKED and the players were HACKED as both teams ran on the field to take a knee.

[Official_21]

Both coaches were HACKED and the players were HACKED as both teams ran on the field to take a knee.

I can just imagine the coaches ranting and ravings are worse at the NFL level than they are at HS level 

But obviously I wouldn't know...just an educated guess on my part   

[riffraft]

I think you jinxed me. At a JV game last night Home team scores with time running out in the 2nd, clock operator stopped the clock with half a second left on the clock 

[Grant - AR]

I can just imagine the coaches ranting and ravings are worse at the NFL level than they are at HS level 

But obviously I wouldn't know...just an educated guess on my part   

In my experience, the higher the level, the less ranting and raving I see from the coaches.  Of course, there are exceptions to that, but as a whole, that's what I've found. 

[Matt]

I did this last year in a jv game. 1 second left before half. I went down and apologized the the crew during halftime!

[Official_21]

In my experience, the higher the level, the less ranting and raving I see from the coaches.  Of course, there are exceptions to that, but as a whole, that's what I've found.

I stand corrected 

[ElvisLives]

In my experience, the higher the level, the less ranting and raving I see from the coaches.  Of course, there are exceptions to that, but as a whole, that's what I've found.

To pile on, the rantings of sub-varsity and lower-level high school coaches, in particular, are far, far worse than those at the FBS level, to which I can attest.  I have not worked, and will never work, in the NFL, but I suspect the same is true for the NFL, i.e., their rantings are less often, and are far more fact and truth-based than any other level.  There is a reason for that: The NFL officiating office works far, far more closely with the teams than at any other level.  The teams know the rules better, and they also know the officials on a slightly more personal basis, so accusations of bias are fewer and further between.

At the FBS level, there is a respectable level of coordination between the schools and the officiating staffs, and the coaches at that level are, again, far more knowledgeable of rules, mechanics, and procedures than high school.  Yes, they will rant, but they know there are consequences if/when they get out of line.  They have much more accountability.  So, they tend to not get out of control.

Sadly, at the high school level, there is not much coordination between teams and officials, outside of scrimmages and games, to help either/both to get better.  Try to organize a voluntary meeting with coaches to discuss rules/mechanics/procedures, and you get a small percentage that will take advantage and participate (like 17 schools out of 75).  Obviously, there is virtually zero coordination with sub-varsity coaches/teams.  Those guys only know of rumors and hearsay about the rules.  They definitely get out of control, at times.

But, that's the way it has been throughout my 44 season career.  I don't see anything changing.  We just do the best we can, honor the game and our fellow officials, and keep moving forward.

Robert

   

[Official_21]

To pile on, the rantings of sub-varsity and lower-level high school coaches, in particular, are far, far worse than those at the FBS level, to which I can attest.  I have not worked, and will never work, in the NFL, but I suspect the same is true for the NFL, i.e., their rantings are less often, and are far more fact and truth-based than any other level.  There is a reason for that: The NFL officiating office works far, far more closely with the teams than at any other level.  The teams know the rules better, and they also know the officials on a slightly more personal basis, so accusations of bias are fewer and further between.

At the FBS level, there is a respectable level of coordination between the schools and the officiating staffs, and the coaches at that level are, again, far more knowledgeable of rules, mechanics, and procedures than high school.  Yes, they will rant, but they know there are consequences if/when they get out of line.  They have much more accountability.  So, they tend to not get out of control.

Sadly, at the high school level, there is not much coordination between teams and officials, outside of scrimmages and games, to help either/both to get better.  Try to organize a voluntary meeting with coaches to discuss rules/mechanics/procedures, and you get a small percentage that will take advantage and participate (like 17 schools out of 75).  Obviously, there is virtually zero coordination with sub-varsity coaches/teams.  Those guys only know of rumors and hearsay about the rules.  They definitely get out of control, at times.

But, that's the way it has been throughout my 44 season career.  I don't see anything changing.  We just do the best we can, honor the game and our fellow officials, and keep moving forward.

Robert

 

Very insightful post...thanks for taking the time to post. 

[CalhounLJ]

I think you jinxed me. At a JV game last night Home team scores with time running out in the 2nd, clock operator stopped the clock with half a second left on the clock 

Last night in a varsity game the visitors were up 30-7. Home team had the ball 4th and goal with time running out. Pass incomplete. I looked at the game clock- :01!  I spun it and we left.


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[yarnnelg]

On a Championship run, stopped at the two, leading 49-0 .... Without thinking I turned and called Time Out. White Hat was a little ticked off. I got to the sideline just to be met by my QB Coach (West Point Grad) "What in the hell was that for?" I looked at the clock .... 1 second left.

Chuckled and said "I wanted to try out the Kamikaze that we practiced during the off week. (Today's shotgun in an empty backfield.) Jogged out, called the play. Snap, wide open receiver to the right, quick pass, touchdown> White Hat declares game over.

Ran steps all afternoon during practice "Situational football" Never forgot.

[Ralph Damren]

I've worked the game clock for a couple of D-III NCAA schools and find more focused the action on the field than the reading on the clock. This discussion brings back this memory.....

(1) Long pass completed and visitor's receiver runs OOB @B's 20;
(2) I promptly shut off game clock at 0:00.7 in the 2ND PERIOD;
(3) FG unit comes in, home coach  glares at me;
(4) kicker shanks kick , clock now reads 0:00.0 
(5) field crew  weren't happy at halftime ;
(6) endgame procedure then was for clock operator to bring penalty reports to both coaches;
(7) home coach -they won by 2 - said : "Your damn lucky he missed the kick  !"

My responses...
To field crew : "I felt I should be watching you guys and not the scoreboard "
To the coach : "Your guys did a great job of rushing the kicker  !"
......I didn't mention that his secondary did a lousy job of pass coverage that set up the FGA 

Morale of the story : Clock operators first priority is when to stop/start the clock.

[centexsports]

My first time to run a clock was a playoff game my first year officiating (no 40/25 oh those many years ago).   It was in a small small Mississippi town.   The clock was in one corner at the top of the stands with an old plywood roof and some rags hanging down on two  sides.   The best thing about it was the wiring for the box was cut and frayed and other electrical wires were exposed.

About five minutes into the 1st quarter it started to rain with a 25 mph wind.  Then by the second quarter it was a mix of rain and sleet.  Needless to say, this was the most miserable game I ever worked.  The guys on the field were sliding around and if it hadn't been so cold, it would have been funny.   

[AlUpstateNY]

I've worked the game clock for a couple of D-III NCAA schools and find more focused the action on the field than the reading on the clock. This discussion brings back this memory.....Morale of the story : Clock operators first priority is when to stop/start the clock.

For "most" game officials, complaining about the game clock, is on the same level as complaining to your wife about the taste of the Thanksgiving turkey she was preparing while you were enjoying the TV game.  Unless it's a constructive suggestion based on ACTUAL practical personal EXPERIENCE it's perceived value may be, somewhat diminished.

Somewhat akin to a Game Clock Operator, who NEVER worked a congested sideline, criticizing a wing official's positioning on a diving catch/no catch sideline swing pass.

Whether we're on the field, or in the booth, we're ALL still chasing our FIRST "Perfect Game".

Hard to get Turkey off your mind this close to Thanksgiving!

[NoVaBJ]

Counterview:

Starting or stopping the clock according to rule is never incorrect.

[AlUpstateNY]

Sorry, gang, the above mentioned post is what happens when an ole' duffer pushes the wrong button. Carol1995, if you're in town, please feel free to delete this and the above post.
                     

Absolutely, you're focused on the action, of the covering official.  The instant he signals "stop the clock", you react.  Although it should be 50%, the clock is far more often,  90%+ somewhere off the other end of the field, and that's the time to depend on your view and reflexes.

[VALJ]

As for college, I'm not sure at all levels but FCS and FBS tend to use officials or developmental officials on the clock(s).

Not entirely... my local FCS school uses high school officials, but we know to pay attention to the R.