[nas] A referee viewpoint on the clock issue

Chris Jerry stated:
"The official rules state a 90 minute game that is divided by two 45 minute 
haves. There is nothing in a rule book that says almost 45 minutes give or take 
5 or 10 minutes in a half."

Well, not really.  First of all, Law 5 makes it a duty (that which MUST be 
done) 
by a referee and that is act as timekeeper.  Not the stadium clock, but the 
referee.

And how is that time to be managed.  Law 7 makes that clear:
"Allowance for Time Lost
Allowance is made in either period for all time lost through:
• substitution(s)
• assessment of injury to players
• removal of injured players from the fi eld of play for treatment
• wasting time
• any other cause
The allowance for time lost is at the discretion of the referee."

So there IS something in the book about how the clock is managed and who does 
that management.  As an official I want the ball in play when I blow the 
whistle 
to end play.  If it is a scoring situation and the team with the opportunity 
doesn't dawdle I will let them have it (such as a corner kick).  The defense 
touch of the ball will bring the 
whistle.

Here is Frederick County, Maryland we have had an unofficial "policy" that 
makes 
the stadium clock just a thing for parents.  Actual time is keep on the field 
and the clock is always stopped with 2 minutes to go.  Of our 7 high schools 
only one has a clock operator that knows when to stop and start the clock 
according to the NFHS rules.  So the clock is for the fans only - the players 
and coaches know to ask the referee for time.

NCAA and HS rules have a dual mission above and beyond the sport and that is an 
educational experience for a student athelete.  As long as those in power in 
those bodies see that as their mission and not the sport as a worldwide game to 
be played the same everywhere there will be differences.  Both NCAA and NFHS 
tend to adopt FIFA law changes within a year but not always.

Back to my lurking cave....

Kap Kaplowitz
USSF Referee and Referee Instructor

--
Richard "Kap" Kaplowitz 
Home: (301) 620-2522
Cell: (240) 409-3156 
Fax:  (240) 220-7557
NEW: richard.kaplowitz@comcast.net
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