Quote:
Originally Posted by Altor
Reading 3-3-2-e, it just says to start the clock on the referee's signal. It doesn't say that the ball should be ready for play, but I think most would assume it should be.
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To me the problem here is that by itself 3-3-2-e supports the referee starting the game clock at his discretion, however looking at it by itself ignores references in the Approved Rulings that indicate that the referee's signal should follow the ball being made ready to play (which is defined in 2-2-4 and includes the ball being placed on the ground).
All of that said, I think officiating crews at the NCAA level have been instructed to start the game clock prior to the ball being ready for play to reduce the overall time of the game. I've noticed it before this season, but it seemed more consistent this year. I can't help but think schools and coaches were made aware of this directive and in general nobody worries about it when you lose a few seconds when there are still 14 minutes to go in the first quarter. With under a minute in either half, coaches will be struck with the blown gasket Dabo style syndrome when it happens. Personally, I'd like to see something concrete to assure that it is clear when the game clock will be started and have always thought the ball actually being ready for play was the best method.