[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by ajmc

NF: 3-5-6, "When a team attempts to conserve or consume time illegally, the referee shall order the clock started or stopped.", like many other rules is intended to authorize, where necessary, the judgment of the Referee to determine whether an inappropriate advantage has been gained by either team, and to correct that inappropriate balance.

Although not intended as a license to subvert rules, NF: 1-1-6, "The referee has authority to rule promptly, and in the spirit of good sportsmanship, on any subject not specifically covered in the rules. The referee's decisions are final in all matters pertaining to the game.", provides for a final impartial arbiter to render judgments, and is clearly designed to avoid endless arguments between opposite advocates .

In the sample play, if a Referee unilaterally decides that a team is gaining an unfair advantage by creating a delay of game (which would be the epitome of illegally consuming or conserving time) he is authorized to negate that illgotten gain, and his judgment on that matter is absolute and final.

Thanks. That's what I said.