Rule 3 – Section 3 – Article 2 – Starting and Stopping the Clock

If the margin in the score becomes more than 34 points, a running clock session will start. During a running clock session, the game clock will stop only for reasons marked * below. For other events listed here, the clock will keep running. Competitions may adopt regulations to:

1. forgo the running clock rule completely;
2. forgo the rule only in the first half of a game;
3. limit the running clock rule to use after an elapsed time no later than 2 hours 15 minutes after kickoff, but only in games that are broadcast live;
4. reduce the score margin below 34 points.

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g. Running clock.

1. During a running clock session, the clock will always be started on the ready for play rather than the snap.  (A.R. 3-3-2:X-XI)
2. If during a running clock session, the margin in the score continues to be more than 34 points, the running clock session will continue. If the margin drops to 34 or fewer points, the running clock session will end immediately on the relevant score and normal clock rules will apply unless and until the margin becomes more than 34 points again. (Exception: If a competition reduces the score margin to start a running clock session below 34 points, the margin to end it will be similarly lower.)