Quote:
Originally posted by Jurassic Referee
It's spelled out in R5-9-3 in the NFHS rule book.Clock starts on a missed FT when the ball touches or is touched by a player on the floor.
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You are exactly correct....BUT:
and here is where the confusion began,
Rule 5-9-3
...If a free throw is not successful and the ball is to remain live, the clock shall be started when the ball touches or is touched by a player on the court.
Rule 5-9-4
...If play is resumed by a throw-in, the clock shall be started when the ball touches, or is touched by, a player on the court after it is released by the thrower.
We need help from an English buff or someone that is well versed in proper punctuation...perhaps Rainmaker?
Why is there a comma after "touches" in 5-9-4 and NOT A COMMA after "touches" in 5-9-3?
Hmmmmm, is it because of the prepositional phrase beginning with "after", following "a player on the court" in 5-9-4?
...or if the rules makers wanted the clock to start when the missed FT hit the floor they would have written it:
"the clock shall be started when the ball touches, or is touched by a player on, the court." ????????
Whew...
RD