Mercy Rule for Football

[etcoach]

1) The mercy rule for football is 35 points (5 scores)

2) The mercy rule for basketball is 35 points (minimum 12 scores if all are 3 pointers)

 

I have watched hundreds of both over the years.  I did Maryville radio for two years.  They hit the mercy rule in over 60% of those games.  Sure, I was getting paid by the game not by the hour so as far as that is concerned....fine.  Officials also benefit.  But what about the kids who play 2nd and 3rd string?

 

I can remember Quarles running in a different quarterback every play just to get someone in.  One play isn't enough.  They should at least be able to get one drive, but it is impossible with the running clock.

 

Basketball hardly ever gets to the mercy rule.  So these two are not parallel at all.

 

3)  The mercy rule in football is not consistent.  Some stadiums once the mercy rule starts, the clock never stops unless there is a time out.  A team scores a touchdown, and the clock just keeps on running through the extra point and never stops for change of possession at all.  Other stadiums do stop it on change of possessions after a touchdown.  

 

To me, the mercy rule in football should be 49.  Let the kids play for goodness sake.  If you lose 91-0 then.............you lost 91-0.  It's something you can tell your grandchildren.

[Governm]

91-0? This is a sign. The Govs are going to beat DB 91-0. I'm the lucky charm this week.

Edited August 29, 2016 by Governors91

[OakRidgeWildcat]

I'm for getting rid of the mercy rule altogether

[fooseball95]

Mercy rule makes no sense, they don't have in college or the NFL so why have it in high school

[BarneySox2007]

Look what it's doing to the Hot Dogs Sales.

Edited August 29, 2016 by BarneySox2007

[JohnnyLawrence]

Don't get down by 35.

Sweep a leg, if you must.

[Red Rebels]

I'm not a fan either, but I can sort of understand where they were coming from. I never understood having it during the playoffs though. You are supposed to be playing for a championship.

[TNVolFan2000]

Sorry I see no purpose in scoring 91 points per game just because you want to get 2nd and 3rd strings playing time.   It it happens because your 2nd and 3rd strings are also scoring easily - so be it.  But why continue to beat up a team that is clearly not able to compete with another team?  

 

And honestly if a coach can tell the team is on the path to a mercy type game they can start playing the 2nd and 3rd string before they get to the 35 points. 

 

Edited to add:  Rhea County last week actually got both the 2nd string and many of the 3rd string players in the game but the substitutions started right after half time. 

Edited August 30, 2016 by TNVolFan2000

[Lead]

Sorry I see no purpose in scoring 91 points per game just because you want to get 2nd and 3rd strings playing time. It it happens because your 2nd and 3rd strings are also scoring easily - so be it. But why continue to beat up a team that is clearly not able to compete with another team?

 

And honestly if a coach can tell the team is on the path to a mercy type game they can start playing the 2nd and 3rd string before they get to the 35 points.

90 points is excessive. With that being said, what is the 3rd string supposed to do, take a knee on offense?

[TNVolFan2000]

90 points is excessive. With that being said, what is the 3rd string supposed to do, take a knee on offense?

  

No I say you let them play - if they score, they score. I was speaking about stopping the clock to extend the game. 

[AllRegion]

I've been on both sides of the running clock, and I can say that I've never been sad to see it kick in when that situation happens.

[GWAVE1]

It is needed. It is a good rule.