NFHS Football Case Plays - Rule 3 (Periods, Time
Factor, and Substitutions) exam 2023.
3.1.1 SITUATION A:
The home management notifies the game officials and the visiting-team coach 30
minutes prior to the scheduled kickoff that the halftime intermission will be extended
for homecoming activities. - -RULING: The maximum length of the halftime
intermission is 20 minutes. Any greater extension is not permitted either by mutual
agreement or prior notification.
COMMENT: By agreement of the opposing coaches, the halftime intermission may be
reduced to a minimum of 10 minutes unless there has been a delay of at least 30
minutes due to weather in the last three minutes of the second period (3-1-6, 3-1-6c, 3-1-
6c EXCEPTION)
-*3.1.1 SITUATION B:
Prior to the game, the participating schools have agreed to a 20-minute halftime
intermission: (a) After 20 minutes have been placed on the game clock, planned band
performances are canceled because of cold weather. Both teams arrive on the field with
six minutes remaining on the game clock. Both coaches tell the game officials they have
agreed to shorten the halftime intermission and want the game to start as soon as they
have both had three minutes to warm up; or (b) As the teams leave the field, the timer
places 20 minutes on the game clock and upon reaching 0:00, places three additional
minutes on the game clock. - -RULING: In (a), mutual agreement of coaches to shorten
the halftime intermission is permitted. They may not, however, shorten it to less than 10
minutes unless there has been a delay of at least 30 minutes due to weather in the last
three minutes of the second period. Regardless of what it is shortened to, the three-
minute warm-up time always must be added to whatever is agreed to for the halftime
intermission. In (b), the time has been posted properly. (3-1-6, 3-1-6c, 3-1-6c
EXCEPTION, 3-1-7)
-3.1.1 SITUATION C:
,Upon returning to the field near the end of the normal 15-minute halftime intermission,
the game officials notice one team standing quietly in front of its bench during the entire
three minutes posted for warm-up. The game officials: (a) start the game as soon as the
three minutes have elapsed, or (b) inform the coach of that team that the team must
actively warm up by running or doing some kind of exercises. - -RULING: The game
officials are correct in (a), but in error in (b). The rules book contains no definition of
what constitutes a warm-up. It simply requires that an opportunity to warm up be made
available. (3-1-7)
-*3.1.1 SITUATION D:
Both teams are informed of a 15-minute halftime intermission. The game officials
remind the teams that the halftime intermission period is nearing an end, and that the
three-minute warm-up period will begin immediately. Team A returns to the field prior
to the end of the halftime intermission, however Team B is not on the field when the
halftime intermission ends and the timer immediately and appropriately starts the
three-minute warm-up period. Team B does not arrive on the field until the three-
minute warm-up period has expired. - -RULING: The head coach of Team B is charged
with unsportsmanlike conduct and B is penalized 15 yards to start the second half.
Though Team B has violated the rule by not being on the field at the end of the halftime
intermission, and by not being on the field at the end of the three-minute warm-up
period, only one unsportsmanlike conduct foul is penalized. (3-1-7, 9-8-1g)
-3.1.5 SITUATION A:
During the second period, a cloudburst brings a torrent of rain onto a grass field. The
game officials suspend play and after a 20-minute delay determine the field is no longer
playable. - -RULING: While the game officials are authorized to delay or suspend a
game when weather conditions are construed to be hazardous to life or limb, such as
lightning, tornado alert, etc., a heavy shower which only affects the playing conditions,
may or may not be judged by the game officials to be hazardous to life or limb. While the
game officials are the final authority on suspending play, it is a good practice for the
game officials to discuss the alternatives with game management and representatives of
both teams before suspending the game.
, -3.1.5 SITUATION B:
During the third period, a thunderstorm moves into the area. The crew of game officials
huddle to assess the situation. There is disagreement among the crew as to whether the
game should be suspended. - -RULING: The referee will make the final decision. If
possible, he should involve game administration from each school before making the
final decision unless there is no time for discussion. Risk minimization must always be
the primary consideration.
COMMENT: Game officials should study and observe the "NFHS Guidelines on
Handling Contests During Lightning Disturbances" as printed in the back of the NFHS
Football Rules Book, as well as applicable state association guidelines. (1-1-5)
-*3.3.3 SITUATION A:
With the score B-7 and A-6, it is second and goal from B's 9-yard line. The game clock is
stopped due to an incomplete pass with four seconds remaining in the game. A1's pass
into the end zone is intercepted by B1 who runs to his 30-yard line where he is downed.
Following the interception and during the run by B1, there is clipping in the end zone by
B2. Time expires during the run. - -RULING: If the penalty for the foul by B2 is
declined, the period is over. If the penalty is accepted, it results in a safety (two points)
for A; however, the period is not extended. If this occurs at the end of period one or
three, the teams will change ends of the field and B will kick from B's 20-yard line. [3-3-
4b(5)]
-*3.3.3 SITUATION B:
Near the end of the third period, it is third and 4 for A from B's 48-yard line. A1
advances to B's 45 and during the run there is holding by B1. The penalty is accepted. At
the end of the down there are three seconds remaining in the period. Because the
penalty was the only reason for the game clock to be stopped, it is started with the
ready-for-play signal and the period ends before A snaps the ball. - -RULING: A is not
entitled to an untimed down as time did not expire during the down.
-3.3.3 SITUATION C:
Factor, and Substitutions) exam 2023.
3.1.1 SITUATION A:
The home management notifies the game officials and the visiting-team coach 30
minutes prior to the scheduled kickoff that the halftime intermission will be extended
for homecoming activities. - -RULING: The maximum length of the halftime
intermission is 20 minutes. Any greater extension is not permitted either by mutual
agreement or prior notification.
COMMENT: By agreement of the opposing coaches, the halftime intermission may be
reduced to a minimum of 10 minutes unless there has been a delay of at least 30
minutes due to weather in the last three minutes of the second period (3-1-6, 3-1-6c, 3-1-
6c EXCEPTION)
-*3.1.1 SITUATION B:
Prior to the game, the participating schools have agreed to a 20-minute halftime
intermission: (a) After 20 minutes have been placed on the game clock, planned band
performances are canceled because of cold weather. Both teams arrive on the field with
six minutes remaining on the game clock. Both coaches tell the game officials they have
agreed to shorten the halftime intermission and want the game to start as soon as they
have both had three minutes to warm up; or (b) As the teams leave the field, the timer
places 20 minutes on the game clock and upon reaching 0:00, places three additional
minutes on the game clock. - -RULING: In (a), mutual agreement of coaches to shorten
the halftime intermission is permitted. They may not, however, shorten it to less than 10
minutes unless there has been a delay of at least 30 minutes due to weather in the last
three minutes of the second period. Regardless of what it is shortened to, the three-
minute warm-up time always must be added to whatever is agreed to for the halftime
intermission. In (b), the time has been posted properly. (3-1-6, 3-1-6c, 3-1-6c
EXCEPTION, 3-1-7)
-3.1.1 SITUATION C:
,Upon returning to the field near the end of the normal 15-minute halftime intermission,
the game officials notice one team standing quietly in front of its bench during the entire
three minutes posted for warm-up. The game officials: (a) start the game as soon as the
three minutes have elapsed, or (b) inform the coach of that team that the team must
actively warm up by running or doing some kind of exercises. - -RULING: The game
officials are correct in (a), but in error in (b). The rules book contains no definition of
what constitutes a warm-up. It simply requires that an opportunity to warm up be made
available. (3-1-7)
-*3.1.1 SITUATION D:
Both teams are informed of a 15-minute halftime intermission. The game officials
remind the teams that the halftime intermission period is nearing an end, and that the
three-minute warm-up period will begin immediately. Team A returns to the field prior
to the end of the halftime intermission, however Team B is not on the field when the
halftime intermission ends and the timer immediately and appropriately starts the
three-minute warm-up period. Team B does not arrive on the field until the three-
minute warm-up period has expired. - -RULING: The head coach of Team B is charged
with unsportsmanlike conduct and B is penalized 15 yards to start the second half.
Though Team B has violated the rule by not being on the field at the end of the halftime
intermission, and by not being on the field at the end of the three-minute warm-up
period, only one unsportsmanlike conduct foul is penalized. (3-1-7, 9-8-1g)
-3.1.5 SITUATION A:
During the second period, a cloudburst brings a torrent of rain onto a grass field. The
game officials suspend play and after a 20-minute delay determine the field is no longer
playable. - -RULING: While the game officials are authorized to delay or suspend a
game when weather conditions are construed to be hazardous to life or limb, such as
lightning, tornado alert, etc., a heavy shower which only affects the playing conditions,
may or may not be judged by the game officials to be hazardous to life or limb. While the
game officials are the final authority on suspending play, it is a good practice for the
game officials to discuss the alternatives with game management and representatives of
both teams before suspending the game.
, -3.1.5 SITUATION B:
During the third period, a thunderstorm moves into the area. The crew of game officials
huddle to assess the situation. There is disagreement among the crew as to whether the
game should be suspended. - -RULING: The referee will make the final decision. If
possible, he should involve game administration from each school before making the
final decision unless there is no time for discussion. Risk minimization must always be
the primary consideration.
COMMENT: Game officials should study and observe the "NFHS Guidelines on
Handling Contests During Lightning Disturbances" as printed in the back of the NFHS
Football Rules Book, as well as applicable state association guidelines. (1-1-5)
-*3.3.3 SITUATION A:
With the score B-7 and A-6, it is second and goal from B's 9-yard line. The game clock is
stopped due to an incomplete pass with four seconds remaining in the game. A1's pass
into the end zone is intercepted by B1 who runs to his 30-yard line where he is downed.
Following the interception and during the run by B1, there is clipping in the end zone by
B2. Time expires during the run. - -RULING: If the penalty for the foul by B2 is
declined, the period is over. If the penalty is accepted, it results in a safety (two points)
for A; however, the period is not extended. If this occurs at the end of period one or
three, the teams will change ends of the field and B will kick from B's 20-yard line. [3-3-
4b(5)]
-*3.3.3 SITUATION B:
Near the end of the third period, it is third and 4 for A from B's 48-yard line. A1
advances to B's 45 and during the run there is holding by B1. The penalty is accepted. At
the end of the down there are three seconds remaining in the period. Because the
penalty was the only reason for the game clock to be stopped, it is started with the
ready-for-play signal and the period ends before A snaps the ball. - -RULING: A is not
entitled to an untimed down as time did not expire during the down.
-3.3.3 SITUATION C:
