What is mercy rule in football?

The mercy rule in football is a regulation designed to prevent a very weak team from being humiliated by the stronger team. It is also known as the "running clock" rule. The mercy rule is applied when the point difference between the two teams is considered to be insurmountable.

In high school football, the mercy rule is typically triggered when one team has a lead of 35 points or more in the second half of the game. In college football, it varies by conference, but the rule is generally applied if a team has a lead of between 30 and 50 points. In professional football, there is no mercy rule, and teams can continue to score as many points as possible.

When the mercy rule is in effect, the game clock generally runs continuously except for timeouts, injuries, and other exceptional circumstances. This means that the game will finish earlier than it would have otherwise, helping to reduce the length of time during which the weaker team is being beaten badly.

The mercy rule is intended to promote fairness and sportsmanship by preventing teams from running up the score against weaker opponents and making the game more enjoyable for all involved.