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Sports Time Trivia Quiz

Time clocks in sports

Many sports use a time clock for different reasons. This quiz will examine different sports that do, do not, and sometimes use a time clock.

A multiple-choice quiz by grisham. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
grisham

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
411,358

Updated
Jan 12 23

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
239

Last 3 plays: Guest 138 (2/10), GoodwinPD (10/10), Guest 67 (7/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which of the five major sports leagues in the United States (MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS) did not regularly use a time clock, until 2023? Hint

MLB

NBA

NFL

NHL

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Question 2 of 10

2. The following are different time limits in the NBA except for one: Hint

13 second

3 second

5 second

10 second

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Question 3 of 10

3. When a ball goes out of bounds in the NBA, the clock stops automatically. When does the clock start again? Hint

When it reenters the playing area.

When a player touches it inbounds

Once it leaves the hands of the player inbounding the ball

After it touches the floor inbounds

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Question 4 of 10

4. Even timeouts are timed in the NBA. Which of the following are for an actual timeout? Hint

75 seconds

60 seconds

15 seconds

30 seconds

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Question 5 of 10

5. MLB started using a pitch clock, in 2023, which impacts the pitcher, catcher and batter. How long is the pitch clock with runners on base? Hint

20 seconds

18 seconds

35 seconds

24 seconds

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Question 6 of 10

6. In the NFL, how long does the offense have to get the next play started? Hint

24 seconds

37 seconds

53 seconds

40 seconds

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Question 7 of 10

7. Each NFL game is divided into: Hint

4 quarters of 12 minutes

4 quarters of 15 minutes

3 periods of 20 minutes

2 halves of 30 minutes

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Question 8 of 10

8. In the NHL, are there penalties assessed for time-related fouls? (Meaning does the ref count seconds in order to assess a penalty)

Yes

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Question 9 of 10

9. There are different kinds of penalties in the NHL with differing lengths. What are the lengths of a minor penalty and a major penalty? Hint

2 minute and 5 minutes

2 minutes and 7 minutes

1.5 minutes and 4 minutes

7 minutes and 10 minutes

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Question 10 of 10

10. MLS soccer games have two halves of 45 minutes each. How long is the overtime period if the game ends in a draw at full time? Hint

one 22.5 minute period

two 15 minute periods

two 10-minute periods

one 45 minute period

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Most Recent Scores

Today : Guest 138: 2/10
Nov 01 2024 : GoodwinPD: 10/10
Oct 22 2024 : Guest 67: 7/10

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which of the five major sports leagues in the United States (MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS) did not regularly use a time clock, until 2023?

Answer: MLB

There was often a discussion about it but there never was a timer used to determine how to play the game. The length of game was recorded but it didn't have a direct bearing on the game itself. Beginning with the 2023 season, a pitch clock (which has a direct impact on the pitcher, batter and catcher) was instituted by MLB for the first time.

2. The following are different time limits in the NBA except for one:

Answer: 13 second

The following exist in the NBA:
3 second violation for a player on offense to be in the paint;
5 second limit to inbound the ball;
10 seconds to move the ball upcourt.

3. When a ball goes out of bounds in the NBA, the clock stops automatically. When does the clock start again?

Answer: When a player touches it inbounds

When a player touches it inbounds the game clock continues. It can take a couple of seconds once the inbounding player throws (or rolls) the ball until another player actually touches it but the clock will not start until the ball is touched. However, after a score, the clock starts immediately as soon as the the ball reenters the playing area. In January 2023, Ja Morant (Grizzlies) took 27 seconds to touch the ball after it was rolled to him slowly in a match against the Hornets. Those seconds were officially a part of the game. No-one from the Hornets came to defend him (to "force" him to pick up the ball).

4. Even timeouts are timed in the NBA. Which of the following are for an actual timeout?

Answer: 75 seconds

All timeouts in the NBA are 75 seconds. They used to have different lengths but that has disappeared in 2017.

5. MLB started using a pitch clock, in 2023, which impacts the pitcher, catcher and batter. How long is the pitch clock with runners on base?

Answer: 20 seconds

There are certain exceptions (what's a good rule without exceptions?) for the pitcher, batter and catcher. The clock was used/trialled in the minors leagues.

6. In the NFL, how long does the offense have to get the next play started?

Answer: 40 seconds

If the offense doesn't snap the ball by the end of that time, they are assessed with a 5-yard penalty.

7. Each NFL game is divided into:

Answer: 4 quarters of 15 minutes

Although the game is officially 60 minutes long, actual playing time is around the 20 minute mark. Much time goes towards reorganizing, the huddle and getting to the line of scrimmage.

8. In the NHL, are there penalties assessed for time-related fouls? (Meaning does the ref count seconds in order to assess a penalty)

Answer: Yes

The only case of delay of game that is time related is when a goalie holds onto the puck for over a minute.
There are delay of game penalties in hockey but they are not usually measured by time - Some examples of when 'delay of game' is called are intentionally knocking the goal post off its moorings, shooting the puck intentionally into the crowd and freezing the puck.

9. There are different kinds of penalties in the NHL with differing lengths. What are the lengths of a minor penalty and a major penalty?

Answer: 2 minute and 5 minutes

If the minor penalty is considered more severe, the ref can decide to assess a "double minor" and result in a 4-minute penalty.

10. MLS soccer games have two halves of 45 minutes each. How long is the overtime period if the game ends in a draw at full time?

Answer: two 15 minute periods

There is no sudden death play in soccer and the full overtime period is played - like in the NBA.

Source: Author grisham

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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