[BktBallRef]

Originally posted by whaddayouknow

Good comment. It sent me back, to the rule book. Now I think I need further clarification on why it does not start on the snap.

In this scenario above, if there had been no penalty, I believe it states the clock would start with the snap (Rule 3, Art 3) if either team is awarded a new series following a legal kick (item c). Since that is the "status" of the clock had there been no penalty, shouldn't that also be the "status" of the clock after enforcement of the penalty.

I'm still new and don't know if I'm experienced enough to argue yet. I'm just trying to understand.

Let me reword the previous item and create "Scenario B" just for clarification: On fourth and 10 third and 2 with two and a half minutes left in the fourth quarter, the clock is running and A throws an incomplete pass. The linesman had a live ball foul illegal procedure on the play, so B elects to replay the down with A penalized 5 yards.

In this scenario B, wouldn't the clock start on the snap because that was the "status" of the clock had there been no penalty? I know the original scenario had the "award of a new series" wiped off with the penalty, but didn't Scenario B also have the incomplete pass wiped off with the penalty? Can anyone provide additional rule references I might be missing?

It makes absolutely no difference what would have happened if there had no been a penalty. The fact is that there is a penalty. Neither team is awarded a new series, 4th down is replayed. Therefore, the clock starts on the ready.

As for the rule, there's only one rule that you need. Read it and ask yourself if any of these issues applies.

3-4-3
The clock shall start with the snap or when any free kick is touched, other than first touching by K, if the clock was stopped because:

a. The ball goes out of bounds. No
b. B is awarded a new series. No
c. Either team is awarded a new series following a legal kick. No
d. The ball becomes dead behind the goal line. No
e. A legal or illegal forward pass is incomplete. No
f. A request for a charged or TV/radio time-out is granted. No
g. A period ends. No
h. A team attempts to consume time illegally. No
i. The penalty for a delay of game foul is accepted. No

A new series is NOT awarded. Clock starts on the ready.



[Edited by BktBallRef on Sep 25th, 2005 at 11:20 AM]