Change in play clock on the way

Teams, chain gangs, officials must adapt from 25 to 40 seconds

Expect complications this fall when Florida high school football games begin operating under a 40-second play clock to ensure consistency in the amount of time that elapses between plays.

Teams, officiating crews and volunteers tasked with moving the down-and-distance chain along the sideline each week all will have to adjust to a new pace of play.

“It’s going to be a year-long learning curve for both the teams and the referees,” warned Bob McKinney of the Broward County Football Officials Association, who sits alongside coaches on the Florida High School Athletic Association’s football advisory committee.

Football games involving FHSAA previously have been played under a 25-second play clock, which typically began at the discretion of the head referee.

The new 40-second play clock was implemented following February’s recommendation by the National Federation of State High School Associations and previous approvals by coaches and athletic directors at the FHSAA level.

The change is intended to “establish a more consistent time period between downs” and remove the referee’s independent judgment of when the ball should be marked ready for play for the offensive team.

“This is going to take away any subjective opinion or evaluation that I would have of when to start the clock,” said McKinney, who was a member of the Central Florida Officials Association and Mid Coast Officials Association before officiating in South Florida.

There will be an approximate gap of three seconds between the end of a play that does not result in a score or change of possession and the start of the play clock. The process begins after an official spots the football and raises a hand.

“It will make the game more consistent between plays,” said Lake Brantley coach David Delfiacco. “Once the ball is set, they will start the clock instead of the head ref blowing the whistle to start. Some refs would blow the whistle quick and some slow, which made it inconsistent.”

Because the majority of high school football stadiums are not equipped with play clocks, the back judge will operate a hand-held timer while in the quarterback’s view. A hand will go up to indicate 10 seconds remain on the play clock.

Another visible gesture will be made at the five-second mark.

“If you watch a college game, watch how fast those referees hustle and the teams hustle, because that’s not much time,” McKinney said of the 40-second clock.

Time is worth considering as teams open spring football practices across the state on Monday. Spring games involving area teams begin May 9.

While offenses focus on avoiding delay-of-game penalties, officials will wrestle with how to manage the start of the play clock following long plays downfield or while the chain crew is on the move following the previous play.

McKinney said there is talk of adding an additional nonvarsity official to help manage the chains, or to have those individuals drop a marker near the head linesman at the line of scrimmage as the crew works to get in place.

“It’ll allow teams that move at a fast tempo to go even faster,” said Harmony coach Don Simon of the change.

“If you’re not ready to call that next play, you’ll get a delay of game or the wrong play called,” said Tohopekaliga coach Anthony Davis. “From a defensive standpoint, it’s not going to make that much of a difference, except making sure you’re ready before the ball is snapped.”