San Diego County Football Officials Association - Weekly Flag Football Bulletin – September 14, 2026
Clock Stoppage – Rule 3-4-4 page 37 states that the game clock shall be stopped throughout the entire game when:
- There is a foul
- A score or touchback occurs
- A new series is awarded to the defensive team (punt, interception, etc.)
- The 2-minute warning occurs (2nd & 4th quarters)
- The period ends
- Official’s time out.
The entire game means, the entire game, unless the Mercy Rule is in effect in the 4th quarter.
Then inside of 2-minutes of either the half or the end of the game, the clock will stop on:
- incomplete passes,
- the runner goes out of bounds
- when a 1st down is declared with less that two minutes remaining in either half.
Progress Spots – The forward progress spot is the forward most point of the ball when the flag is pulled. The actual location of the flag when pulled is not a factor in determining progress. Remember, it is where the ball is, not where the flag is.
Game Start Times – We have had many game’s start times adjusted for the heat. The game time in Arbiter is the official start time, but schools may need to adjust it for the heat index. Officials are to follow the instructions and agreements of the head coaches when this happens. Under no circumstances are we to hurry a start time for our own convenience.
New Instructional Video This Week – This week’s Instructional Video will be critical viewing. We will be doing a quick review of our proper mechanics, especially at the goal line and on punts. We will also be reviewing the Overtime Procedures, along with a few more important reminders. I will be sending it to all officials and all coaches.
