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:
- forgo the running clock rule completely;
- forgo the rule only in the first half of a game;
- 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;
- reduce the score margin below 34 points.
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e. Starts on the Referee’s Signal. For each of the following reasons, 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 referee’s signal:
- Team A is awarded a first down, either through play or by penalty.
- A Team A forward fumble goes out of bounds.
- Other than with fewer than two minutes remaining in a half, a Team A ball carrier, fumble or backward pass is ruled out of bounds.
- To complete a penalty (Exception: Rule 3-4-5-b). *
- An injury timeout is allowed for one or more players or an official. (A.R. 3-3-5:I-V)*
- An inadvertent whistle is sounded.
- A possible first-down measurement.
- Both teams cause a delay in making the ball ready for play (A.R. 3-3-1:III).
- A live ball comes into possession of an official.
- A head coach requests a conference or video review. *
- The referee grants a media timeout. *
- The referee declares a discretionary timeout. *
- The referee declares a timeout for unfair noise (Rule 9-2-1-b-5).
- An illegal pass is thrown to conserve time (A.R. 7-3-2:II-VII) (Exception: Rule 3-4-5-b).
- The referee interrupts the 40/25-second count.
- A player’s helmet comes completely off through play.
- When either team commits a dead-ball foul.