Mercy rule clarification needed.

by **Laxbacker** on Mon Mar 13, 2006 3:35 pm

What are the margins that apply for "running the clock" in high school (Fed.) and in College (NCAA)?

I've heard 10 and 12 for both. I've also even seen it occur in the first half (erroneously - because the ref reversed it), but would like the experts call on this rule which seems to have become rather nebulous in it's implementation of late.

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by **John Paul** on Mon Mar 13, 2006 3:49 pm

There is no mercy rule in college lacrosse. Coaches can agree to shorten periods, although both coaches must agree for it to happen. The rule book recommends that any variations in timing are agreed upon in writing at least a day before the game. I've never heard of an NCAA game that went to shortened periods while the game was going on because one team was way up on the other. The rule book makes no mention of a running clock. It's my interpretation that a running clock should not be used in a regulation game. Shortened periods only, if necessary. Running clocks become a bit more complicated when you factor in penalty timing and necessary clock stoppages (injuries, lost balls, etc.).

by **Kyle Berggren** on Mon Mar 13, 2006 4:23 pm

The running clock in HS is actually a choice from the coach, not a requirement.

by **Sonny** on Mon Mar 13, 2006 7:01 pm

Kyle Berggren wrote:The running clock in HS is actually a choice from the coach, not a requirement.

Negative. 12 goal margin or higher in the 2nd half results in a running clock, per (NFHS) Federation Rules. No choice is involved by either coach.

by **LaxRef** on Mon Mar 13, 2006 7:05 pm

Kyle Berggren wrote:The running clock in HS is actually a choice from the coach, not a requirement.

Sonny is right, it's an NFHS rule: 12 or more goals in the second half ----> running time. 11 or fewer, you go back to stop time. There's no mention of coach's involvement in the decision.

The confusion is mostly due to the rule change this year, which upped it from 10 goals to 12 goals. Any officials using 10 didn't study their rules enough before they started working this year.

by **Sonny** on Mon Mar 13, 2006 7:08 pm

LaxRef wrote:
Kyle Berggren wrote:The running clock in HS is actually a choice from the coach, not a requirement.

Sonny is right, it's an NFHS rule: 12 or more goals in the second half ----> running time. 11 or fewer, you go back to stop time. There's no mention of coach's involvement in the decision.

The confusion is mostly due to the rule change this year, which upped it from 10 goals to 12 goals. Any officials using 10 didn't study their rules enough before they started working this year.

The funny thing is that we still using the 10-goal margin here in Georgia. The GHSA (governing body for high school activities) has the 10-goal margin for running clock in their primary admin book which supercedes the Federation Rule Book if there are any conflicts.

by **Kyle Berggren** on Mon Mar 13, 2006 7:35 pm

Sonny or LaxRef, if you have a book available (as I do not have one with me), can you copy the rule... In a game last season I saw an issue with this, and the rule book was used as the losing coach didn't want running time, it read something like, "unless waived by the coach of the trailing team." The end result was stop time was used for the final quarter, which is the only reason I know anything of the rule, and may have mis-interpreted it.

by **LaxRef** on Mon Mar 13, 2006 11:13 pm

Sonny wrote:
LaxRef wrote:
Kyle Berggren wrote:The running clock in HS is actually a choice from the coach, not a requirement.

Sonny is right, it's an NFHS rule: 12 or more goals in the second half ----> running time. 11 or fewer, you go back to stop time. There's no mention of coach's involvement in the decision.

The confusion is mostly due to the rule change this year, which upped it from 10 goals to 12 goals. Any officials using 10 didn't study their rules enough before they started working this year.

The funny thing is that we still using the 10-goal margin here in Georgia. The GHSA (governing body for high school activities) has the 10-goal margin for running clock in their primary admin book which supercedes the Federation Rule Book if there are any conflicts.

In principle, that's supposed to keep your state from getting a vote when it comes to NFHS lacrosse. The NFHS doesn't want states changing rules, and that's their only "stick."

by **LaxRef** on Mon Mar 13, 2006 11:17 pm

Kyle Berggren wrote:Sonny or LaxRef, if you have a book available (as I do not have one with me), can you copy the rule... In a game last season I saw an issue with this, and the rule book was used as the losing coach didn't want running time, it read something like, "unless waived by the coach of the trailing team." The end result was stop time was used for the final quarter, which is the only reason I know anything of the rule, and may have mis-interpreted it.

Well, you owe me one, because I hate typing and the NFHS doesn't publish their rules electronically.

NFHS 2006 Rule 3-1-2 wrote:ART. 2 . . . After the first half, any time the score differential reaches 12 goals or more, the clock will only be stopped for a team time-out; official's time-out or an injury time-out. Should the score differential be reduced to less than 12 goals, then normal play will resume. All penalties that occur during a score differential situation will be running time. In this situation, running penalty time begins with the next whistle resuming play.

I hope that helps!