American Football IFAF Approved Ruling 3-2-4

I. When the ball is dead after a running play that ends out of bounds, the 40-second play clock is star ted. The umpire (or centre judge) receives the ball from the line judge, and as they are placing it on the ground, they see that it is not a legal game ball. They toss the ball to the
line judge who attempts to get a legal ball from the ball person. RULING: If the play clock reads 20 seconds or less before the correct ball is in from the sideline and ready for play, the referee will attempt to reset the play clock without stopping the game clock. If the play
clock is not quickly reset, the referee declares a timeout, the play clock is reset to 25 seconds and signals ready-for-play. The game clock starts on the snap unless it had been running when the referee declared a timeout. [Cited by 3-2-4-b-3]

II. When the ball is dead after a running play that ends in the side zone, the officials have difficulty getting the ball in to the hash mark. As the play clock nears 20 seconds, the umpire (or centre judge) places the ball on the ground, and by the time the officials are ready, the play clock is somewhat below 20 when the umpire (or centre judge) steps away. RULING: Without stopping the game clock, the referee gives the “pump” signal to indicate that the play clock is to be reset to 25. If the play clock is quickly reset to 25, the game clock does not stop. Only if the play clock operator does not quickly respond to the referee’s “pump” signal will the referee declare a timeout, signal for the play clock to be set at 25, and then signal to start both the play and game clocks. [Cited by 3-2-4-b-3]

III. Team A scores a touchdown and the 40-second play clock is star ted. Without stopping the game, the referee receives positive confirmation from the video judge that the touchdown is good. The play clock displays: (a) 20 or more seconds, or (b) 19 or few er seconds. RULING: The referee (a) signals to clear the centre judge or umpire and to allow the ball to be snapped. (b) The referee will signal the play clock be reset to 25 seconds, and will then signal to clear the centre judge or umpire and allow the ball to be snapped. [Cited by 3-2-4-b-3]

IV. Team A scores a touchdown and the 40-second play clock is star ted. With less than 25 seconds on the play clock, Team A’s head coach or team captain requests the ball be moved to the left hash mark. RULING: The officials will not honour the request. Team A may call a timeout to relocate the ball unless preceded by a Team A foul or offsetting fouls. [Cited by 8-3-2-c]

V.  Ear ly in the 4th quarter, back A21 takes a handoff and runs for a 15-yard gain and is down inbounds. Dur ing the play, A88 is guilty of holding at the A-30, and (a) B54’s helmet comes off during the play (not a direct result of a foul) or (b) B54 is injured on the play. RULING: The holding foul by A88 will be penalised 10 yards from the spot of the foul and it will be 1/15 @ A-20. In both (a) and (b), the play clock will be set to 25, and both the play clock and game clock will be started on the referee’s signal. [Cited by 3-2-4-c-5]