Colorado will become the fourth state in the nation to use a 40-second play for high school football during the 2016 season. The Colorado High School Activities Association has approved a change to its rules that eliminates the 25-second clock, except for a few instances.
Under the new experimental rule, that could be used for up to three years, an offensive team will have exactly 40- seconds to snap the ball after the end of its previous play. Under the 25-second rule, the official had to signal to start the play clock after marking the ball ready for play. Under the 40-second clock, the ball will be ready for play as soon as it is placed, and no official will blow a whistle to signal the start of the play clock.
The use of the 40-second clock began in 2014 when Texas high school football implemented the same 40-second play clock used by the NCAA. Texas follows the same rules as the NCAA. Currently Indiana and Michigan are also trying the 40-second clock on an experimental basis.
It’s possible that in the near future, National Federation of State High School Associations, which sets the rules for 48-states, could adopt the 40-second clock for all states that follow NFHS rules.
High School Football America decided to ask coaches around the country if they thought a change to a 40-second play clock would be good. Below you see the results that 65-percent said yes.
Do you think a 40 second play clock is good for high school football?
— Jeff Fisher (@HSFBamerica) July 30, 2016
