Most of the NCAA timing rule changes in the past 15 years have been to shorten the total length of games to accommodate TV’s pressure to fit this ‘product’ into a maximum 3-hour window, but maximize their commercial time. They have slowly been stealing playing time, with re-starting the game clock on the ready after OB plays, the imposition of the 40-second play clock that starts with the previous dead-ball, (now) not stopping the game clock on first downs inbounds, etc.
Since UIL games are shorter, by rule, already, and there aren’t nearly the number of live televised games, most games are in the 2:30-2:45 window, and I don’t see any sentiment to reduce that. I see no need to change timing rules for normal game play. I have, and would, never unilaterally ‘run the clock.’ When BOTH head coaches communicate their mutual desire to run the clock, then I have complied with their wishes. But I don’t like it.
I have mixed emotions about any sort of ‘mercy’ rule. I certainly do not wish to see any players put at significantly increased risk of injury when they are clearly overwhelmed by an opponent. However, those players that show up for practice every day, and do their best to help their team, but are less skilled than other players, and don’t often have an opportunity to get playing time, even when their team is winning, deserve the opportunity to get on the field and play the game they practice as regularly as the starters and other ‘regulars.’ A Team should be able to recognize that they are overwhelming their opponent, and should insert their non-regulars, giving the opponent the opportunity to insert their non-regulars, as well, so all players get a chance to play this game, and their parents and family members should have the opportunity to show their pride for their children/siblings/relatives. Playing time is their time - not ours. We shouldn’t steal their time by terminating the game after some score margin is reached, or shortening the playing time, or ‘running the clock.’ Coaches that want the clock to run don’t give one rats behind about the safety of their players. They just don’t want to have to stay out there while they are getting the crap beaten out of them. Understandable. But, those 2nd, 3rd, 4th team players just want to play. They realize they aren’t going to change the outcome of the game, but, dadgummit, they busted their hineys all week serving as whipping boys for the starters, and they just want to get a handful of plays in the real games. If, somehow, the losing team starts to make a comeback with their non-regulars against the winning team’s non-regulars, then, by all means, coach, put your regulars back in. But let’s don’t rob the lesser skilled/talented players of their chance to participate in the biggest activity of their high school lives.
If BOTH coaches ask to reduce playing time or run the clock, then, OK. But, I’d rather see them agree to let their subs play, but reserve the right to play their starters, if necessary, to assure a victory.
