This fall high school football teams that are behind by 35 points or more going into the fourth quarter, or any time thereafter, will see a running clock the rest of the game
On April 29, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Federated Council approved the mercy rule that once had been up to a mutual decision of both coaches.
Ron Nocetti, senior director of the CIF, said that in the past there have been game situations where
"there was an environment that was no longer educationally productive. I'm sure many times teams were doing their best to keep the score in check, but that is not always evident to the opposing coach."
Not all coaches agree with the decision, according to the San Jose Mercury News:
"I hate it to be taken out of the hands of coaches," Campolindo coach Kevin Macy said. "A coach might have a reason for wanting to play the normal clock.
"If you are demoralized and defeated, run it."
"It's just one more level of bureaucratic intervention into managing the outcome of athletic contests," said Mt. Eden co-head coach Paul Perenon. "It was legislated in place as a means of helping us take care of ourselves."
Comments