| LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL FOR CHANGE IN NSAA RULES AND REGULATIONS | ||||
| Title: | Football 40-point running clock | |||
| Author: | Cody Whipkey | |||
| School: | Wilcox-Hildreth | |||
| NSAA District: | 5 | |||
| Proposal for: | Activities Manual | |||
| Classes Affected: | All | |||
| Activities Affected: | Football | |||
| This proposal: | WILL NOT increase costs to the school WILL NOT increase costs to the NSAA WILL NOT increase travel for participating schools WILL NOT decrease a student's or coach's instruction time | |||
| Implementation date: | 2026-08-01 | |||
| Sections affected in Activities Manual: | Page 35 | Article | Section 35-point running clock | |
| Summary: | This proposal would alter the current 35-point running clock provisions with these changes. This change would affect all classes.
1) Change running clock guidelines to 40-points from the current 35-points. 2) The clock would not stop during a Point After Touchdown attempt, but would then stop following the PAT attempt prior to the ensuing kickoff. The clock would then re-start when the ball is kicked on the ensuing kickoff. (#3 under 35-point running clock guidelines) 3) The clock would not stop during penalty enforcement. (#4 under 35-point running clock guidelines) 4) Normal clock operations would not resume if the point differential is reduced to fewer than 40 points. Once running clock procedures begin, they remain in effect for the remainder of the contest. (final statement under 35-point running clock guidelines) | |||
| Rationale: | These changes would create similarity for running clock guidelines in football and basketball. There isn't much good that comes from a game that reaches this point. Often coaches who are well ahead will play their 2nd & 3rd string players while the other team leaves their starters in possibly due to low participation numbers and not having other players to sub into the game. Currently this can create a situation where the clock returns to regular functioning when the score falls below the 35 point differential. This may lead to coaches re-inserting their starters into the line-up after they haven't played since the first half. The potential for injury rises as these players are no longer warmed and properly stretched out. | |||
| Pros: | Speeds up the game in these situations. Better aligns football and basketball running clock guidelines.
Still allows for 2nd half play as opposed to returning to the old 45-point rule. | |||
| Cons: | Speeds up the game and potentially takes away varsity game time away from younger players. | |||