It's a Matter of Time: Game, Play Clocks Affected by NCAA Changes

Both the game clock and play clock are affected by changes to the NCAA football rules for 2008. The addition of a 40-second play clock to the familiar 25-second play clock and the clock starting on the ready in some situations, when it previously started on the snap, headline the changes approved by the NCAA Football Rules Committee.

The changes have been approved by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel. The following material has been reviewed by Rogers Redding, secretary-rules editor of the NCAA Football Rules Committee.

Ball carrier, departing player defined (2-27-6c, 2-27-7)

A ball carrier is a runner in possession of a live ball. A ball carrier differs from a runner in that a runner may only be pretending to have the ball.

A departing player is a player leaving the field, having been replaced by a substitute. The definition will be helpful in identifying a player’s status in substitution situations.

Play clock (3-2-4)

The offense will have 40 seconds to snap the ball if the previous play did not include a change of possession and the ball became dead inbounds or out of bounds, or the ball became dead because of an incomplete pass. In those cases, the 40-second clock will start when the ball becomes dead, not when it is declared ready for play by the referee.

In all other cases — penalty administration; a media, injury or charged team timeout; measurement; change of possession; try for extra point; the start of each period or start of a possession series in an extra period; an instant replay review; or other administrative stoppage — the offense will have 25 seconds to put the ball in play.

If an unusual situation delays the placing of the ball and the 40-second clock has run down to 20 seconds, the referee should signal the game clock to stop and have the clock reset to 25 seconds. The referee (and only the referee) is to make a pushing motion by raising and lowering his arm with his palm flat and facing up as a signal to the play clock operator.

If the clock is to be reset to 40 seconds, the referee makes the same gesture but with both arms.

With the change, the 15-second interval that previously appeared in rule 3-2-2 is eliminated.

Game clock starts (3-2-5a-12)

When a ball carrier, a fumble or a backward pass goes out of bounds, the game clock stops and will be started when the ball is made ready, not on the snap as in previous years. The rule does not apply in the last two minutes of either half.

Rule 3-2-5a-11, regarding a fumble forward and out of bounds, still applies. The clock stops for a fumble out of bounds in advance of the spot of the fumble but the clock starts when the ball is made ready anytime during the game, even the last two minutes of either half.

When the 40-second play clock applies and the game clock is to start when the ball is spotted, the referee will no longer need to blow his whistle and signal the ready for play. Once the ball is spotted, the referee need only give the start-the-clock signal without blowing his whistle. When the 25-second play clock is in force, the referee will give the traditional ready signal.

In another modification involving the clock, last year’s rule change in 3-2-2i, regarding resetting the game clock in case of an inadvertent whistle, was eliminated.

 Play 1: Second and four for team A from its own 26 yardline with 7:23 to play in the first quarter. A1 (a) throws an incomplete pass, (b) gains nine yards as a runner and goes out of bounds, (c) fumbles with B2 recovering, or (d) throws a backward pass to A3 that is muffed and goes out of bounds.

Ruling 1: In (a), the game clock stops and the 40-second play clock starts when the covering official signals the pass incomplete. Because the game clock starts on the next snap and the 40-second clock is in force, the referee is not required to signal or blow his whistle. In (b), the game clock is stopped because A1 was in possession of the ball when he went out of bounds. Team A is awarded a new series for reaching the line to gain. The 40-second play clock starts when the covering official gives the stop-the-clock signal. When the ball is spotted the referee should signal the game clock to start without blowing his whistle. Due to the change of possession in (c), the 25-second play clock begins when the referee gives the traditional ready signal. The game clock starts on the snap. In (d), the game clock stops and the 40-second play clock begins when the covering official rules the ball out of bounds. The game clock starts on the referee’s start-the-clock signal.

Play 2: Second and four for team A from its own 26 yardline with 1:23 to play in the second quarter. A1 (a) throws an incomplete pass, (b) gains nine yards as a runner and goes out of bounds, (c) fumbles with B2 recovering, or (d) throws a backward pass to A3 that is muffed and goes out of bounds.

Ruling 2: In (a), the game clock stops and the 40-second play clock starts when the covering official signals the pass incomplete. Because the game clock starts on the next snap and the 40-second clock is in force, the referee is not required to signal or blow his whistle. In (b), the game clock is stopped because A1 was in possession of the ball when he went out of bounds. Team A is awarded a new series for reaching the line to gain. The 40-second play clock starts when the covering official gives the stop-the-clock signal. Because there are less than two minutes to play in the half, the game clock does not start until the snap. Because the game clock starts on the next snap and the 40-second clock is in force, the referee is not required to signal or blow his whistle. Due to the change of possession in (c), the 25-second play clock begins when the referee declares the ball ready for play. The game clock starts on the snap. In (d), the game clock stops and the 40-second play clock begins when the covering official rules the ball out of bounds. The game clock starts on the snap because there are less than two minutes to play in the half. Because the game clock starts on the next snap and the 40-second clock is in force, the referee is not required to signal or blow his whistle.

Play 3: Second and four for team A from its own 26 yardline with 1:23 to play in the second quarter. Runner A1 is near the sideline when he (a) intentionally throws a backward pass out of bounds to stop the clock, or (b) fumbles the ball, which goes forward and out of bounds.

Ruling 3: The intentional backward pass in (a) is a foul. After enforcement of the penalty is completed, the 25-second play clock will start on the referee’s ready signal. The game clock starts on the ready because the pass was thrown to conserve time. In (b), the game clock stops and the 40-second play clock starts when the official signals the clock to stop. The game clock starts when the referee gives the start-the-clock signal because the fumble went forward and out of bounds even though there are less than two minutes to play in the half (3-4-3).

Chop block (2-3-3)

The definition of a chop block has been simplified. The timing of the blocks and the position and location of the blockers are no longer an issue.

According to the new definition, a chop block is a high-low or low-high combination block by any two players against an opponent other than the runner anywhere on the field, with or without a delay between contacts. “Low” is defined as at the opponent’s thigh or below.

Any high-high or low-low combination blocks are legal.

Play 4: A1 and A2 are adjacent or non-adjacent linemen. At the snap, A1 blocks defensive tackle B3 in the chest and A2 blocks B3 (a) at the waist, (b) at the thigh, or (c) at the knee.

Ruling 4: Legal block in (a) whether or not there was a delay between blocks. It is a chop block in (b) and (c) because of the high-low combination. The block would be illegal with or without a delay.

Play 5: A1 and A2 are adjacent or non-adjacent linemen. At the snap, A1 blocks defensive tackle B3 in the chest. B3 fights off the block and advances toward the runner. A2 blocks B3 (a) at the waist, (b) at the thigh, or (c) at the knee.

Ruling 5: Legal blocks in (a), (b) and (c). Because A1 was no longer engaged with B3, the block by A2 is not considered a combination block.

Play 6: A1 and A2 are adjacent or non-adjacent linemen. At the snap, A1 and A2 block defensive tackle B3 (a) in the chest, or (b) at the knee. The blocks are delayed or simultaneous.

Ruling 6: Legal blocks in (a) and (b). High-high and low-low combination blocks are legal with or without a delay.

Facemask foul (9-1-2q)

The five-yard penalty for an incidental facemask grab has been eliminated. It is only a foul if the facemask or helmet opening is twisted, turned or pulled.

Play 7: Runner A1 is beyond the neutral zone when B2 reaches out and (a) slides his hand across A1’s facemask, (b) grasps A1’s facemask but immediately lets go, or (c) grabs A1’s facemask and pulls so that A1’s head is yanked to the side.

Ruling 7: There is no foul in (a) or (b) because the facemask was not twisted, turned or pulled. B2 has fouled in (c). If accepted, the penalty is 15 yards from the end of the run and an automatic first down. If the covering official rules B2’s act is flagrant, B2 may be disqualified.

Horse collar tackle (9-1-2p)

Players are prohibited from grabbing the inside back collar of the shoulder pads or jersey, or the inside collar of the side of the shoulder pads or jersey, and immediately pulling the runner down. The penalty is 15 yards and an automatic first down. Note that the rule does not apply to a runner who is inside the tackle box or to a quarterback who is in the pocket.

Play 8: Tailback A1 is five yards beyond the line of scrimmage and is advancing when B2 grabs the inside collar of the side of A1’s shoulder pads and pulls. A1 (a) breaks the tackle and continues to advance, (b) drags B2 for three yards before going down, or (c) immediately goes to the ground.

Ruling 8: There is no foul in (a) or (b), but it is a foul in (c).

Free kick out of bounds (6-2-1 Penalty)

If a free kick goes out of bounds untouched by team R, one of team R’s options is to take the ball at the inbounds spot 30 yards from the previous spot. In most cases, that will be team R’s 40 yardline. Last year, the spot would have been 35 yards from the previous spot.

Contact above the shoulders (9-1-3a and b)

It is illegal to initiate contact and target an opponent with the crown of the helmet. Also, no player shall initiate contact and target a defenseless opponent above the shoulders.

The penalty is 15 yards from the basic spot, or 15 yards from the succeeding spot for dead-ball fouls. The violator is disqualified if the contact is deemed flagrant.

If the foul is by team B, it is an automatic first down. Penalties for offensive team personal fouls behind the neutral zone are enforced from the previous spot. It is a safety if the foul occurs behind team A’s goalline. If the foul occurs by the offense on a scrimmage kick play other than a field goal, enforcement may be at the previous spot or the spot where the subsequent dead ball belongs to team R.

Sideline interference (9-1-6)

Under the previous rule, a team violating the sideline rule was first issued two warnings, followed by a succession of yardage penalties. The warnings have been eliminated. While the ball is in play, coaches, substitutes and authorized attendants may not be in the restricted area between the sideline and the coaching box or on the field of play. The first and second instances result in a five-yard penalty for delay. Third and subsequent infractions are penalized as unsportsmanlike conduct for sideline interference, 15 yards from the succeeding spot.

Referee microphones (1-4-9d)

Microphones, provided by home management, are strongly recommended on referees and will be mandatory in 2010. No other officials may be miked. Mikes must be controlled by the referee; they may not be open at other times. The committee strongly recommends the lapel-type microphones.

Another technology-related rule appears as 1-4-9g. Any attempt to record, either through audio or video means, any signals given by an opposing player, coach or other team personnel is prohibited.

Instant replay changes (Rule 12)

Several changes were made to the instant replay rule. A coach whose challenge results in a reversal is allowed one more challenge during the game. Thus a coach may have a total of two challenges. Also, the replay official may correct egregious game-clock errors.

The list of plays that may be reviewed was expanded as well.

• A field goal attempt may be reviewed only if the ball is ruled below or above the crossbar, or inside or outside the uprights when it is lower than the top of the uprights. If the ball is higher than the top of the uprights, the ruling may not be reviewed.

• Replay may review a play in which a ball carrier is judged to have been down by rule when the recovery of a fumble by an opponent or teammate occurs in the immediate action following the fumble and is prior to any official signaling that the ball is dead. If the ball carrier is judged down by rule and the instant replay official does not have indisputable video evidence as to which player recovers the fumble, the down-by-rule call stands. Also, if the ruling of down-by-rule is reversed, the ball belongs to the recovering player at the spot of the recovery and any advance is nullified.

• Replay may review situations in which a ball carrier is judged to have been out of bounds when his immediate action takes him into the opponent’s end zone and is prior to any official signaling that the ball is dead.

Editorial changes

Out of the approximately 60 editorial changes for NCAA rules this year, nine can result in a different ruling for 2008 than in 2007.

Passer beyond neutral zone (2-19-3, 7-3-2a)

A passer has crossed the neutral zone if his entire body has been beyond the neutral zone. The previous rule called for a foul if any part of his body was beyond the neutral zone.

Play 9: Third and 10 on team A’s 20 yardline. A1 releases a forward pass when (a) only his passing hand is beyond the neutral zone, (b) his lead foot is beyond the neutral zone and his rear foot is not, or (c) his front foot is completely beyond the neutral zone and his back foot is just beyond the neutral zone.

Ruling 9: In (a) and (b), it is a legal pass. In (c), it is a foul on A1 for illegally throwing a forward pass from beyond the neutral zone. If the penalty is accepted, it is enforced five yards from the spot of the pass and the down counts.

Running play (2-30-4)

The statement that there is only one running play behind the neutral zone has been deleted. The number of running plays during a down is not a factor in penalty enforcement. The end of the related run determines the basic spot.

Play 10: First and 10 on team A’s 25 yardline. A1 takes the snap and passes the ball backward to A2. B3 bursts through the line, grabs A1, twirls him and plants him into the ground. A1’s backward pass goes awry and A2 muffs the ball. A4 recovers the ball after B3’s personal foul and advances to team A’s 29 yardline.

Ruling 10: The 15-yard penalty for B3’s personal foul is enforced from the previous spot and includes an automatic first down.

There are two running plays: A1’s and A4’s. The foul occurred during the first running play, which ended when A4 recovered the ball. Since the related run ended behind the neutral zone, the basic spot is the previous spot and the penalty is enforced from there.

Clock status (3-2-5e)

When team B is awarded a first down but, due to penalty, is not next to snap the ball, the clock starts on the ready.

Play 11: Fourth and five from team A’s 25 yardline. A1 is tackled inbounds after a three-yard gain. B2 was in the neutral zone at the snap.

Ruling 11: The clock was stopped to award team B a first down, but team B will not snap the ball due to the accepted penalty. Team A will start a new series from its own 30 yardline. The clock starts on the ready.

Fouls against eligible receivers (9-3-4e)

If during a play in which a legal forward pass crosses the neutral zone, a defender makes illegal contact with an eligible pass receiver that is not pass interference (such as holding) before the pass is touched, the penalty is from the previous spot. It is also an automatic first down if the foul occurs beyond the neutral zone. The new wording replaces the statement that the passer was not to be considered an eligible receiver for purposes of the rule. However, the change affects fouls against other players as well.

Play 12: Second and 20 at team A’s 30 yardline. A1 looks to throw a screen pass to A2 at team A’s 28 yardline, but A2 is held there by B3. A1 then throws a legal forward pass to A4, who is downed at team A’s 32 yardline.

Ruling 12: Although A2 is an eligible receiver, B3’s holding foul occurred behind the neutral zone. As a result, the penalty does not include an automatic first down. If the penalty is accepted, it will be second and 10 at team A’s 40 yardline.

Scrimmage kick formation (2-15-10)

If team K is in scrimmage-kick formation at the snap, any action by team K during the down is deemed to be from a scrimmage-kick formation. The change makes it clear that neither team can block low when the offense makes a scrimmage kick and was in a scrimmage-kick formation at the snap.

Play 13: On fourth down, team K is in scrimmage-kick formation. K1 takes the snap and runs to his right. As he approaches the line, he punts rugby style. K2 blocks R3 below the waist at the snap.

Ruling 13: An illegal block on K2. Although the ball was not kicked while team K was in a scrimmage-kick formation, team K was in a scrimmage-kick formation at the snap. Consequently, neither team can block below the waist anywhere on the field at anytime during the down.

Penalty enforcement (3-1-3g-1, 3-1-3g-3, 8-3-3a, 8-3-4c)

Two changes affect penalty enforcement in extra periods and another deals with fouls on a try after a change of possession.In extra periods, penalties for flagrant personal fouls after a change of possession are enforced on the succeeding play. That restores a rule that had been in effect in the past. Also, if both teams foul during a down in extra periods and team B had not fouled prior to a change of possession, the fouls offset and the down is not replayed.

The same philosophy applies during a try in regulation. If both teams foul during a try down and team B had not fouled prior to the change of possession, the fouls offset and the down is not replayed.

Play 14: During the first possession series of an extra period, B1 intercepts a pass and carries the ball across team A’s goalline. During the run B2 (a) slugs an opponent, or (b) clips at midfield.

Ruling 14: No touchdown in either case. In (a), since the penalty is flagrant, it is carried over to team B’s possession in the extra period and B2 is disqualified. Team B’s series starts at team A’s 40 yardline. In (b), the penalty is declined by rule. Team B’s series starts at team A’s 25 yardline.

Play 15: During a try in an extra period, B1 is offside at the snap. A2 fumbles at team B’s two yardline. B3 recovers the ball and is tackled by A4, who grasps and twists B3’s facemask at team B’s 10 yardline.

Ruling 15: Since team B fouled before the change of possession, the fouls offset and the try is replayed.

Play 16: During a try in the second period, R1 roughs the kicker. The low kick is blocked at the line and recovered by R2, who returns the ball over team K’s goalline.

Ruling 16: Since team R’s foul was before the change of possession, the try is replayed after enforcement from the previous spot.

Fouls on scoring plays (10-2-2g-1b)

Only personal fouls committed by the non-scoring team on a play during which a touchdown is scored can carry over to the try or succeeding kickoff. The penalty for any other foul is declined by rule and the score counts, unless illegal touching of a kick during the down makes it possible to enforce a penalty.

Play 17: Team A’s punt crosses the neutral zone and A1 commits illegal touching. B2 picks up the ball and runs a few yards. During B2’s run, B3 holds A4. B2 fumbles and A5 recovers and returns it for a touchdown.

Ruling 17: The touchdown will not count. But since there was illegal touching during the down and it’s possible to enforce a penalty, team B’s foul is not declined by rule. Team A can choose between giving team B the ball at the spot of illegal touching or at the spot where enforcement of the penalty leaves the ball.

Halftime (3-2-1)

The referee is to give the start-the-clock signal immediately after the second period ends. In the past, the referee was to wait for both teams to clear the field.

Other changes have added editorial precision to the rules. The distinction between a foul and a penalty has been emphasized and various penalty sections have been clarified to state that fouls offset (penalties cancel) and that penalties, not fouls, are enforced.

Rule change material was written by Jeffrey Stern. The review of editorial changes was written by George Demetriou. A football official since 1968, he lives in Colorado Springs, Colo.