[Andy]

Old Fart Remembers.....

There used to be a rule that the team that was behind (or the defense if the score was tied) had to "force" the action. This rule was deleted in the late 70's or early 80's if I recall correctly. It worked something like this:

If the offense was behind, the ball had to penetrate the hash mark (now known as the 28' mark) within 10 seconds. If the ball did not penetrate the hash mark, the referee would annouce "Offense, play ball!" or something like that while the ball was still live. The referee would start a new count. If the ball did not penetrate the hash mark within 10 seconds of the new count, a team technical foul was assessed to the offense.

If the defense was behind, or the score was tied, the defense had 10 seconds to send at least one defender to a legal guarding position (within 6 feet) of the offensive player with the ball. If they did not, a verbal warning was issued by the referee while the ball was still live. if the defense did not come out within a new 10 seconds, a team technical was assessed.

This is my best recollection of how the rule worked and was administered. If any of you other old guys out there remember it differently or I missed something, feel free to chime in.