MIDSTATES FOOTBALL LEAGUE MANUAL FOR GAME CLOCK OPERATORS, CHAIN CREWS & BALL BOYS January 2017 INTRODUCTION A vital function in the playing of a football game is that of the clock operator, the chain crew and ball boys. As such, a solid knowledge of what is required of each one performing those duties is a must. Each team provides their own ball boys. The clock operator and chain gang are provided by the host team management. It is important to remember that the clock operator, chain crew, and ball boys are also an extension of the on field officiating crew and must perform the duties with impartiality and neutrality. Rooting for a particular team is not compatible with the job that needs to be done. They must not be influenced by the scoreboard or any other persons either in the stands, on the sideline, or in the pressbox. Those selected to do those jobs must focus their attention onto what is happening on the field. Keeping all this in mind helps establish the pace of the game and promotes fair play. THE CLOCK OPERATOR . THE BASICS The lengths of timing the clock operator needs to be concerned with are found in MSFL Rule 3 Sec 1. Each quarter of the game AND the halftime intermission between the 2nd and 3rd quarter is 15 minutes in length. Half time may be extended to 20 minutes for special occasions with approval of the referee or a league executive board official. The game clock (scoreboard clock) is also set to 15 minutes for any overtime periods. The timing for the intermission between and 1st and 2nd, and the 3rd and 4th quarters along with charged team time outs is kept on the field by the officials. SIGN LANGUAGE There are 3 signals the clock operator has to be familiar with and their meanings: Time Out This signal is used by any official on the field anytime the game clock is to be stopped. The official initially giving this signal may or may not blow his whistle and other officials may mimic the signal. Start the Play Clock This signal is used by the referee to signal the official on the field to begin the 25 second play clock. The arm is held out to the front, and as the referee gives a short blast on the whistle as he pulls it down to his side. It is used both when the game clock is either stopped or running. The game clock operator doesn't have to do anything when this signal is given. The important thing to remember is not to start the game clock if it is stopped, or stop it if it is running when this signal is given. 2 Start the Game Clock - "Start on the wind" This signal is the one the game clock operator should be looking out for if the game clock was stopped and starts when the ball is set and ready for play. The referee will hold his arm out in front of him, and as he begins to rotate his arm over his head and back, he will give a longer warble like blast on the whistle. Other officials may mimic this signal if they see the clock hasn't started. This signal, without the whistle blast is also indicated to start the clock after a kickoff has been legally touched. Incomplete Pass During a scrimmage down, when a forward pass falls incomplete, the clock operator stops the game clock. BEFORE THE GAME The clock operator should arrive at the game site preferably an hour before kick off, but no later than 45 minutes before kick off. During this time, the operator should check the electronic scoreboard for proper functioning and operation. He will also meet with members of the officiating crew, most likely the umpire and possibly the referee. Items that need to be discussed during that pre-game conference include going over the signals and timing rules, and what the procedure will be if the scoreboard clock malfunctions. If half time has been approved to be extended and by how much, that will also be mentioned If the scoreboard clock does malfunction, the official game time will be kept on the field by either the line, back, or side judge. Though not required, it is highly recommended that the clock operator be provided with a timer or stop watch to keep time as an unofficial time for the benefit of coaching and other personnel in the pressbox, and as a backup to the official field clock. At 32 minutes before kick off, the clock operator should start a 30 minute countdown on the scoreboard clock. This will allow the teams, officiating crew, and others to know how much time is left before kick off and help get the game started on time. DURING THE GAME There may be times during the game when the referee may order the clock operator to make changes or adjustments to the game clock. How this information will get from the field to the pressbox should be covered in the pre-game conference. 3 KNOWING WHEN TO STOP.......AND START MSFL Rule 3 Sec 3 Art 1 states: "The game clock operator shall stop the game clock (time out) when upon his own positive knowledge or signal or upon a signal by any official." This allows the clock operator to stop the clock when it is obvious that the clock should be stopped either by the action of the play or the clock stops by rule. The clock operator cannot start the clock without the "wind" signal from the referee. The following table is a guide to help the clock operator anticipate when the clock should be started and stopped. Except for having the positive knowledge when the clock should be stopped, it should not be used in place of an official's signal. Starting the Clock Free Kicks (Kick Offs and Kicks after a Safety) The clock starts when: ==When the ball is touched by a member of the receiving team in the field of play ==When a receiver crosses his own goal line with the ball into the field of play after catching it in his own end zone . (The clock remains stopped when the receiver remains in his own end zone with the ball, when a fair catch is made, when the kicking team touches or recovers the ball) Scrimmage Downs The clock starts when the ball is set and ready for play: ==After a runner goes out of bounds (except within the last 2 minutes of the 1st half and within the last 5 minutes of the second half the clock is started on the snap) ==After an Official's time out (unless followed by a time out where the clock would start on the snap) ==After the penalty administration of a foul by either team (unless followed by a time out where the clock would start on the snap or within the last 2 minutes of the 1st half, within the last 5 minutes of the second half or anytime the penalty is for delay of game, the clock is started on the snap) ==After an injury time out (unless it occurs within the 2 minute warning then the clock will start on the snap) == After a ball goes out of bounds as the result of a fumble or backwards pass by any player. == If the clock was stopped because of a inadvertent whistle. ==After a 10 second run off The does not start for an extra point attempt, other untimed downs, or anytime when called for by rule. The clock starts when the ball is snapped: ==On the first play from scrimmage after a kick off or change of possession. ==When the first play at the start of the 2nd and 3rd period is a play from scrimmage. ==When the first play immediately following the 2 minute warning is a play from scrimmage. ==When the clock is stopped for an incomplete pass at anytime during the game. ==After a team charged time out. ==After the administration of a delay of game penalty. ==When ordered by the Referee 4 Fair Catch Kick Down The clock starts: ==When the ball is kicked when the ball is put into play by a free kick after a fair catch. Stopping the Clock The game clock will be stopped by an official's signal or game clock operators positive knowledge: == At the end of a down in which there is a free kick or fair-catch kick. == When the kicking team recovers a scrimmage kick beyond the line of scrimmage. == When the ball is out of bounds. == When the ball is dead on or behind a goal line. == At the end of a down during which a foul occurs. == When a forward pass is incomplete. == During a dead ball foul. == When the Referee signals the two-minute warning for a half. == When a down is completed during which or after there is a change of possession. == When any official signals a timeout for any other reason. THE CHAIN GANG THE BASICS The chain crew is an extension of the on field officiating crew. They must perform the job in a professional manner. This includes holding the sticks and box straight up with the faces parallel to the sideline, and displaying hustle when changing positions. Chain crews must be neutral and impartial. There is no room for cheering, or relaying coaching instructions, while holding the sticks. Any member of the chain gain doing so will be replaced and removed from the confines of the playing field.