GASA Clock

I have been writing about this issue since October 2004 and it is also published under the SAGOA resources web page, has been there now for over a year. Why does this still bring issues of misunderstanding? Really when we hear comments about coaches, captains and QB telling us how to run the clock many a time it is 99% wrong.

Out of 72 quarters of football this year I can think of only 3 timing errors, these were when a false start was blown late twice and the play got underway or a substitution infraction called late allowing a play to continue and then brought back once the officials double checked on numbers and the situation. With so few quarters having timing errors less than 5% of the season then the clock has run correctly for 95% of the time, but changes made accordingly for 100% accuracy.

The clock is a modified rule for SA in which people still do not understand yet SAGOA have run this style of clock under the modified rule since about inception, 1986. (I could be wrong on the year but it has been around for a very long time.)

Below is the updated excerpt for the 2007/08 season: (Some parts have been bolded and italicised for emphasis from the original article.)

Timing

GASA Clock 2006/07 Season (also 2007/08)

GASA run what is called a fast clock for all games. We do not run exactly to NCAA Rules, except inside 2 minutes of the second and fourth quarters.

What does this mean for teams who wish to control the clock better?

The Referees are putting the ball into play 10 to 15 seconds after the previous play finishes. This may extend out further on hot days to 20 seconds. This means a play every 40-45 seconds.

The game clock continues to run at all times except:

• Incomplete pass
• Change of possession – interception, fumble recovery by Team B, and kick plays.
• Play ends up out of bounds
• Officials time out
• Injury time out
• Team time out
• First Downs to move the chains

If the game clock is stopped when does it start?

The game clock will always start with the ready for play by the Referee, except inside the 2-minute warning.

Inside the 2 minutes the game clock will start depending on how it was stopped, according to NCAA Rules 2005 (and now 2007 NCAA Rules). Generally if the teams stopped it first then it will start on the snap. If the Officials stopped it then it will start on the ready for play by the Referee.

As usual there are exceptions. If the Officials stop the clock to move the chains for a first down then a team calls a time out, the next time the game clock starts will be on the snap.

The teams time out override the Officials stopping the clock. The same on a first down and a player going out of bounds. The player going out of bounds overrides the officials stopping of a clock for the first down, so therefore the game clock will start on the snap.

If an Official is unsure about a first down he will signal to stop the clock so that the Referee can check. As soon as it is determined that it is short the Officials will signal for the game clock to start again.

A tip to manage the clock better.

• If inbounds and there is an obvious first down do you need to call a time out? The clock has stopped already for the Officials to move the chains. It will take a while to get the chains moved (20 to 30 seconds depending on the distance to cover by the chain crew.) Generally though as soon as the down marker is placed where the new set of downs begin the ready for play whistle will sound and the game and play clock will begin. The game clock will start on the ready and not the snap. Your intentions may be to have the game clock start on the snap because of the time out. If you want to discuss a play you might have time while the chains set up and not have to call a time out.

Modified from Week 10 2004 SAGOA Articles to Head Coaches.

There are a number of timing changes in the 2006 NCAA Rulebook that do not fit our circumstances. Also these changes may come under more scrutiny before the next season. (disregard this comment for season 2007 onwards.)

Anyhow I hope this can clear this up once and for all so that all coaches, players and captains understand this vital rule in a close game. I also hope that the coaches group can put these modified rules together as SAGOA should not be informing these sorts of issues midway through a season, nor should be the ones communicating this to coaches. SAGOA is only to enforce the rules on the field but should not be taking the responsibility to teaching the rules to participants, unless coaches, captains and other senior players are willing to attend a meeting to get a better understanding. There is no point in me conducting a meeting with just one small group of people as my experience tells me that the message does not filter down to the people that matter, THE PLAYERS.

Happy New Year and best of luck for your last few games. It has been very close with almost another draw happening and a few upsets still to happen along the way. It will be interesting to see just who checks on the blog for updated information ready for part 2 of the season.

Grant Martin