This week on Whistle Talk, Mike D the Referee is joined by Daniel Chamberlain for a can’t-miss breakdown of Rule 3 from the NFHS Football Rulebook: Periods, Time Factors, and Substitutions. If you’re a coach, official, or football fan looking to master the clock, manage substitutions, and understand the nuances of game timing, this episode is for you.

What’s Inside This Episode:

• Game Structure Demystified: Learn how every high school football game is divided into four 12-minute quarters, with 1-minute intermissions between the 1st/2nd and 3rd/4th periods, and a halftime that must be between 10 and 20 minutes (with 15 minutes as the standard). Discover why a mandatory 3-minute warm-up follows halftime before the third quarter begins.

• Coin Toss & Starting Play: Mike and Daniel explain the coin toss procedure, captain selection, and the strategic choices teams face before kickoff. Find out why deferring is often the smartest option and what mistakes to avoid so you don’t kick off both halves1.

• Clock Management Essentials: Get a clear explanation of when the game clock starts and stops, including the difference between major and minor clock stoppages (think incomplete passes versus measurements or injuries). The guys break down the 25- and 40-second play clock rules and why knowing the difference is crucial for both coaches and officials.

• Timeouts & Intermissions: Understand the rules for charged team timeouts (three per half, one minute each), official’s timeouts, and what happens when you run out of timeouts but need to stop play for injuries or equipment issues.

• Substitution Protocols: Hear about legal and illegal substitutions, what to do if a player’s equipment is faulty or missing, and why the right substitution process matters for both safety and strategy.

• Special Situations: The episode covers what happens during weather delays, how halftime can be shortened in special circumstances, and the referee’s authority to correct timing errors or manage unusual delays.

Daniel and Mike also share real-world case scenarios, practical tips for sideline management, and stories from their years on the field.

Don’t Miss Out!
Like, subscribe, and follow Whistle Talk on Spotify so you never miss an episode. Connect with Daniel Chamberlain for more football insights and sideline wisdom:

• Instagram: @amfmpmx

• X (Twitter): @amfmpm and @CoachChamboOK

Smash that follow button, drop us a review, and join the conversation - because mastering Rule 3 is the first step to controlling the game!

Find more of Daniel here

Daniel Chamberlain’s Patreon site is:

patreon.com/chamberlainfootballconsulting

Daniel Chamberlain is a co-host of the following podcast shows:

• The Football Coaching Podcast (with Joe Daniel)

• The Coaching 101 Podcast (with Kenny Simpson)

• Voices of the Heartland (with Chris Cole)