Running of the clock in second half of games

Crest has had 2 straight games where the clock has run nonstop in the 2nd half. I know you don't want to see teams humiliated, but the second and third string players for Crest only got 3 series total in these 2 games combined. I know you don't want to see a game were the starters are left in and you score 150 points, but these young men deserve a chance to play. Coach Kirby said that if a man ask for mercy he's going to give it to him, but can't there be a way that these kids get some playing time too. Maybe put them in earlier, but you also have to make sure that the starters get enough snaps to stay sharp. Guess it's a catch-22 anyway you look at it.

 

Some may say it would be showing up the oher team or being arrogant - but I say start the game with the 2nd string - let them go out and run a full offense for the first quarter. Even if they go up big you put the first string in the second quarter.

Or maybe mix things up - let the first string line block for the second string skill players or vice versa.

Of course you could only do this if you know the game will be a blowout going in.

Probably never see a coach do that but it's just a thought.

 

In 1998 Mooresville was dominant in the old WFC and ran into the same thing vs. teams like N. Iredell, S. Caldwell, FT Foard and St. Stephens. We never ran the clock at home but it sure did happen on the road. Here's the problem that I have with it. We would blow them out in the first half and play group 2 in the second half. I would say thats fair enough. And it would seem like the other teams would want the "practice" instead of just getting it over with, so to speak. We like to use that situation as practice, as I'm sure most good teams/coaches do. But check this out, at the time our HB was Corey Alexander who was tearing up the state rushing record. He would only play the first half in LOTS of games and there is no telling how many rushing yards he would have gotten during his playing days at Mooresville, 1995-1998. This did not help his stamina either. I recall him cramping up in the second half of playoff games due his limited playing time during the regular season. How wacked is that? Danged if you do and danged if you dont.

 

I think this is a very sensitive issue that each coach takes care in their own seperate way, there's real no wrong or right way to do it.

If it were me, I would never consider subbing entire groups of players (O-Line, D-Line, D-Backs) at one time until after your first possession of the 3rd period, and then it would have to be 30-35 point lead. The skill position players I would blend in as soon as possible. For example, If I was up 28-0 in the 2nd period and had the ball I would want my 2nd string of receivers or runningbacks in the game. I would keep my starting QB in and the starting O-Line in. Let all the starters play the first couple offensive possessions of the 2nd half. Then as I said earlier, If I'm half way or more through the 3rd period and up 42-0 or something like that, I would begin the wholesale subs with the O-Line being the last to be replaced.

I think what that does is gives the 2nd string skill position players the chance to play with a first string QB and O-Line incase they're ever needed to fill in for an injured starter. Then the later 3rd and all of the 4th period is time to get everybody in so they can get playing time.

Oh, BTW...I think that a non-stop clock in the 2nd half is a crock and I've seen from both sides of the spectrum.

 

Simple, tell that $%#^*!#)*^&^& coach of yours to put his subs in the first quarter when the scores 40-0 and all ready a blowout if he's so worried about subs getting playing time. Are you kidding me?

 

So he should only play his starters one quarter? You have to keep your starters fresh. What an ignorant statement.

 

No, that's what you guys are saying. I'm saying that if a coach is so worried about getting his player's PT during blowouts then he should begin to sub his player's earlier. It's his choice. Play the starters longer and take away from subs, or get the starters out and play the subs more. It's not rocket science.
This all stems from the problem that has trickled down into HS sports. It's all about winning and screw everything else. That's BS! These kids need so much more than just that. It's a me me world now, and nothing illustrates that more than this thread. Give someone else a chance when your team is up big. Damn you people.

 

"I'm saying that if a coach is so worried about getting his player's PT during blowouts then he should begin to sub his player's earlier."

Crest had second string guys playing in the second quarter. There needs to be some kind of change. Crest ran 11 freakin plays in the second half. 2 possessions in a half? The clock started running before the second half even started, it ran during breaks, it ran after we scored and and were preparing to kick off, and it ran when a ref got run over and was on the ground for 4 or 5 minutes. That's not fair to the 2nd team guys who work hard all week and actually have a chance to get some playing time.

 

There is absolutely no necessity in HS football to afford above average teams' backups time. Competitive but not dominant teams don't have that advantage every game, and as VI noted, playing around with it too much can have negatives.

A good coach finds ways to get good backup players into the game strategically, whether or not there's a huge lead.