Article 1 – Time Starts
The below timing rules may be amended by individual leagues to shorten games into an allotted time slot. No timing change may be made that will lengthen a game.
Time shall start on the signal of the Referee when:
- a) The ball, following a kick off, touches, or is touched by a player of either team, in bounds;
- b) The ball is ready to be scrimmaged;
- c) The ball is snapped after a "time count" foul, or after a timeout due to the noise of the crowd;
- d) The ball is snapped following a requested time out;
- e) The ball is snapped following an incomplete forward pass, or the ball being carried out of bounds, after the 3 minute warning signal has been given in any half;
- f) The ball is snapped immediately following a play during which possession changes after the 3-minute warning signal has been given in any half. This includes the change of possession after a score of 1 or 3 points when the ball is put into play by a scrimmage;
- g) The ball is snapped on a play immediately following a kick off, a kick from scrimmage, a return kick, or an open field kick after the 3-minute warning signal has been given in any half;
- h) The ball is snapped after the penalty application for a foul that occurs after the 3 minute warning signal has been given in any half. The non-offending team may decline the penalty and permit time to resume as though a foul had not occurred;
- i) Following a time out or after the 3 minute warning and the game clock is being held from the previous play, and the play is stopped for a procedural penalty by either Team. The game clock shall be held until the snap of the ball whether the yardage is accepted or not.
Article 2 – Time Stops
Time shall stop on the signal of a field official when:
- a) A score has been made and throughout any convert attempt.
- b) A live ball goes out of bounds.
- c) A forward pass is incomplete.
- d) Penalty application is required.
- e) Three or more players from either team substitute at the same time.
- f) Player injury occurs. Time stops after the ball is dead and the injured player must be replaced.
- g) Time expires at the end of a period.
- h) The ball becomes dead after the three-minute warning signal in any half.
- i) Any field official recognizes a request for a time out.
- j) The Referee feels it necessary to suspend play - defective equipment, measurements, etc.
- k) A play ends in which Team B has gained possession at some point during the play.
- l) Termination of all kick plays occurs.
Rule Modification page 57
Article 3 – End of Period
If in any period, the ball becomes dead with only a short period of time remaining, the team in possession shall be entitled to one complete play even though that play may extend beyond the normal termination of that period.
Where the last play is a legally scored touchdown, the period will be extended for the convert attempt following the touchdown. The period will end when the ball is declared dead on the convert, without a foul. If a foul occurs, see .
Article 4 – Time Out
Each team shall be entitled to two time outs in each half of a game. Each time out is 1 minute long. Any player, head coach, or designated head coach may request a time out from the time the ball becomes dead until it is put into play. Time outs may not be accumulated from one half to the next. After a time out, and any conference with the coaches, Team A players shall not remain in close proximity to their bench, but must return to their huddle, or move clearly away from the team bench area, if they are not using a huddle, or be penalized for illegal procedure.
L5 PLS DR.
Article 5 – Mercy Rule
Any time after the first half, if the difference in score between the two teams becomes 35 points or more, the clock will be running time for the remainder of the game, except for injuries, scores, timeouts or any reason the Referee deems necessary to stop the clock. When the clock has been stopped it will re-start based on rule .
Note the mercy rule does not apply for U Sport and CJFL levels.