Timing Devices
ARTICLE 4. a. Game Clock. Playing time shall be kept with a game clock that
may be either a stop watch operated by the line judge, back judge, field judge
or side judge, or a game clock operated by an assistant under the direction of
the appropriate judge. The type of game clock shall be determined by the game
management.
b. 40-Second Clock. 1. When an official signals that the ball is dead, the play
clock shall begin a 40-second count.
2. If the 40-second clock does not start or the count is interrupted for
reasons beyond the control of the officials or the play-clock operator
(e.g., clock malfunction), the referee shall stop the game clock and signal
(both palms open in an over-the-head pumping motion) that the play
clock should be reset at 40 seconds and started immediately.
3. In the event that the 40-second clock is running and the ball is not ready
to be snapped after 20 seconds into the count, the referee shall declare a
timeout and signal that the play clock be set at 25 seconds. When play
is to be resumed, the referee will give the ready-for-play signal [S1] and
the play clock shall begin the 25-second count. The game clock will
start on the snap unless it had been running when the referee declared a
timeout; in that case, it will start on the referee’s signal (Rule 3-3-2-f).
c. 25-Second Clock. If the officials signal the game clock to be stopped for
any of the following reasons, the referee shall signal (one open palm in an
over-the-head pumping motion) that the clock should be set at 25 seconds:
1. Penalty administration.
2. Charged team timeout.
3. Media timeout.
4. Injury timeout for a player of the offensive team only. The play clock
is set to 40 seconds for an injury to a player of the defensive team.
5. Measurement.
6. Team B is awarded a first down.
7. After a kick down.
8. Score.
9. Start of each period.
10. Start of a team’s possession series in an extra period.
11. Instant replay review.
12. Other administrative stoppage.
13. An offensive team player’s helmet comes completely off through play.
The play clock is set to 40 seconds if the helmet comes completely off
a player of the defensive team. [Exception: If there is an option for a
10-second subtraction in either half the play clock is set at 25 seconds
for any player.]
When play is to be resumed, the referee will give the ready-for-play
signal [S1] and the play clock will begin the 25-second count.
d. Device Malfunction. If a visual 40/25-second timing device becomes
inoperative, both coaches shall be notified by the referee immediately and
both clocks shall be turned off.
