SECTION 3. Timeouts: Starting and Stopping the Clock
Starting and Stopping the Clock
ARTICLE 2.
d. Starts on the Snap. For each of the following, the game clock is stopped on an official’s signal. If the next play begins with a snap, the game clock will start on the snap:
1. Touchback.
2. A Team A ball carrier, fumble or backward pass is ruled out of bounds anytime after the Two-Minute Timeout in the 2nd or 4th quarters. (Exception: After a Team A forward fumble goes out of bounds, the clock starts on the referee’s signal.)
3. Team B is awarded a first down and will next snap the ball.
Approved Ruling 3-3-2 V. Late in the second or fourth quarter, Team A has second and eight. B44 intercepts a legal forward pass and carries the ball out of bounds. B79 is in the neutral zone at the snap. When the game clock is stopped it reads (a) 2:00, or (b) 1:59. RULING: Team A accepts the penalty and retains possession of the ball. In both (a) and (b) the game clock starts on the referee’s signal, because Team B will not next snap the ball. In (b) if Team B is leading, the clock will start on the snap.
4. A forward pass is ruled incomplete.
5. A team is granted a charged timeout.
6. The ball becomes illegal.
7. A period ends.
8. A legal kick down ends.
Approved Ruling 3-3-2 VI. Fourth and eight at the A-12, late in the fourth quarter. The punt is blocked and the ball does not cross the neutral zone. At the A-10, back A22 recovers the ball and throws a forward pass to eligible A88 who is tackled at the B-3. The game clock reads 0:03. RULING: Team A’s ball at the B-3, first and goal. The game clock starts on the snap because of the legal kick play. (Rules 3-3-2d-8, 3-3-2e-1, 3-3-2f)
9. A return kick is made.
10. A scrimmage kick is made beyond the neutral zone.
11. Team A commits a delay-of-game foul while in a scrimmage-kick formation.
