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GHSA Mercy Rule
As allowed by the National Federation
The basic premise of the mercy rule is once the 10-goal differential is
achieved
and you have played at least a half of the 1st half, the mercy rule is in
effect
and it cannot be revoked. Here are the decision points considering it is a HS
Varsity match:
- If you have achieved the 10-goal differential at the 20-minute mark of
the first half, the half will end. The second half will be 20 minutes in length
unless a 15-goal differential is attained and then the games ends.
- If you have achieved the 10-goal differential at the end of the first
half, the second half will be 20 minutes in length unless a 15-goal
differential
is attained and then the games ends.
- If the goal differential goes below 10 during the second half, that
half is still 20 minutes
- If you attain a 15-goal differential in the 2nd half, the game ends
immediately
Here are some examples:
- If Blue scores the 10-goal differential at the 17th minute mark of the
1st half, the half will end at the 20th minute mark of the 1st half if the
10-goal differential still is present. The 2nd half will be 20 minutes in
length.
- If Blue scores the 10-goal differential at the 32nd minute mark of the
1st half, the half will end at the 40th minute and the 2nd half will be 20
minutes in length unless a 15-goal differential is attained and then the games
ends.
- If Blue scores the 10-goal differential at the 2nd minute mark of the
2nd half, the 2nd half will be 40 minutes in length unless a 15-goal
differential is attained and then the games ends.
- If Blue scores the 15-goal differential at the 19th minute mark of the
1st half, the half will end at the 20th minute mark and the game is over. (By
the strict letter of the rule, you would wait the half time and then recall the
teams for the kick off. That would not make any sense so just end the game at
the end of the first half.)
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