04/18/12 Running Clock Provision Approved by Board of Control

April 18, 2012 Basketball Blog Updates

The KHSAA Board of Control has approved a running clock provision for basketball. The rule will require a running clock to be used in all levels of high school basketball if a point differential of 35 points or more is reached after halftime. The clock will be stopped only for a charged time-out, for injury/blood or disqualification, and immediately following the reporting of a foul if free throws are to be administered.
The specifics on how officials are to administer this new rule will be addressed in the near future.
The mercy rule/running clock provision has been added to other sports over the past years including football and soccer.

Final Rule wording –

Approve the adoption of a running clock rule at all levels of basketball (freshman, JV, Varsity) when one team is ahead by 35 or more points after halftime.

The clock shall be stopped only for a charged time-out, an injury/blood or disqualification, and immediately following the reporting of a foul if free throws are to be administered.

• After reporting a shooting foul, the official will signal the timer to stop the clock. (This will be signaled by the official to the timer after reporting the foul)
• Once the official signals the timer to stop the clock, it will be started when the free throw ends if the last free throw is missed (when it is certain the try will not be successful or when the try touches the floor or any player, 4-20-3), or when the ball is at the disposal of the opponent if the last throw is successful (Available to a player after a goal and the official begins the throw-in count, 4-4-7.)