Question Number: 26769

Law 7 - Match Duration 9/16/2012

RE: Competitive High School

Miguel Gabaldon of Santa Fe, New Mexico USA asks...

Is a half supposed to end while a team is preparing to take a free kick?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Miguel
The game ends when time has fully expired and that decision is a matter entirely for the referee. Some referees manage time by way of stopping the stopwatch when required. When the watch reaches the required time these referees end the game no matter where the ball is.
Another method used is to simply add on time for the required stoppages and that is a judgement call for the referee. In that method it is easy to find a few seconds so most referees will see out a free kick, corner kick etc.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

The question is whether or not all time, including regulation and any added time deemed necessary, has been accounted for by the referee, and when it has expired the game is over, regardless of where the ball is or what is going on.

In HS, most games are run by the stadium clock and when it expires, the game is over, no matter what. The referee has very little control over the clock under the NFHS rules of play.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

You reference a high school game. In High School games there is a stadium clock. When it runs down and an alarm goes off the game is over.