End of Game Timing Situation

[BryanV21]

I had this happen a couple of weeks ago...

Team B is up 2 points and his shooting the first of a bonus free throw with 1.1 seconds on the clock. Team A's coach tells my partner that he wants a time out immediately, should his team get the rebound off a miss. B1 misses the free throw, and sure enough A1 gets the rebound and my partner blows his whistle for the timeout.

I look at the clock and it's down to .1 seconds, and of course, Team A's coach is not happy about it. At first, we aren't going to change the clock since none of us have definite knowledge of how much time should be left on it, even though it's obvious that there's no way a whole second should have come off. But we decide to get together and talk about it, and ultimately decide that we should put some time back on the clock, as... like I said... no way did a whole second go by between when the player from Team A secured the rebound and my partner blew his whistle for the timeout. My partner, who is the R, decides to have them set the clock at .8 seconds.

Turns out Team A threw a pass all the way to the three-point arc, and the guy made a turn-around three at the buzzer to win it for Team A.

I'm fine with our decision, although I thought we probably should have put something like .6 seconds on the clock instead. But the rules don't support our decision because, like I said, we didn't have definite knowledge of the time.

What do you all think?

[Raymond]

What does your supervisor/assignor think?

[BryanV21]

He was OK with what we did.

[BillyMac]

I guess that it depends on what one's definition of definite information is?

5-10-1: The referee may correct an obvious mistake by the timer to
start or stop the clock properly only when he/she has definite information
relative to the time involved. The exact time observed by the official may
be placed on the clock.

TIMING MISTAKES AND CORRECTIONS

5.10.1 SITUATION A: The score is tied with two seconds remaining in the game. A1 is awarded a bonus free throw. After the ball had been placed at the disposal of A1, B1 disconcerts A1. The free-throw attempt is missed. The timer does not hear the official's whistle sound and permits the clock to start. May the referee put the two seconds back on the clock? RULING: Yes. The rules provide "…the referee may correct the mistake when he/she has definite information relative to time involved." The referee not only orders the timer to put two seconds back on the clock but also awards A1 a substitute throw for the disconcertion by B1.

5.10.1 SITUATION C: As the official rules a three-second lane violation, he/she properly sounds the whistle and gives the signal to stop the clock. While doing this, the official is able to see the exact time remaining in the fourth quarter. The clock shows five seconds remaining. The timer stops the clock: (a) at five seconds; (b) at four seconds; (c) at three seconds; or (d) the time runs out completely. RULING: No correction is needed in (a). In (b), (c) and (d), the referee will order five seconds put on the clock.

5.10.1 SITUATION D: There are six seconds left on the clock in the fourth quarter and the ball is out of bounds in the possession of Team A. The throw-in by A1 touches the official on the court and then goes across the court and out of bounds. The timer permits two seconds to run off the clock. What recourse does the coach of either team have in such situation? RULING: Either coach may step to the scorer’s table and request a 60-second time-out and have the referee come to the table. The coach is permitted to do this under provisions of the coach’s rule. The referee shall come to the sideline and confer with one or both coaches and the timer about the matter; and if the referee has definite knowledge that there were six seconds on the clock when the ball was awarded to Team A for the throw-in, it is the responsibility of the referee to have the two seconds put back on the clock. The timer and scorer and the other official(s) can be used by the referee to gain definite information. If there is no mistake or if it cannot be rectified, the requesting team will be charged with a 60-second time-out. (5-11-4 Exception b; 5-8-4; 10-5-1c)

5.10.1 SITUATION E: Team A scores a goal to lead by four points with 10 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Team B then quickly scores with approximately five seconds remaining; now trailing by two points. Team A expects to withhold the ball out of bounds for the throw-in with the time remaining (less than five seconds). The timer mistakenly stops the clock shortly following the Team B goal; the game clock reads 4.0 seconds remaining. The official sounds the whistle, (a) immediately to address the timing mistake; (b) after reaching a throw-in count of three to address the timing mistake; or (c) upon reaching a five-second throw-in count on Team A. RULING: In (a) and (b), Team A will have a throw-in from anywhere along the end line with (a) no change to the game clock; and (b) the game clock corrected to display 1.0 seconds. In (c), the game is over as time has expired. COMMENT: An official’s count may be used to correct a timing mistake. (5-10-2)

5.10.2 SITUATION: Following a violation in the fourth quarter, there are five seconds on the clock as A1 is bounced the ball for a throw-in. The throw-in is completed to A2. The official properly signals the clock to start and immediately begins a closely-guarded count on A2. The official reaches a count of three seconds when B1 fouls A2. The official stops play properly and reports the foul at the table. The timer reports that he/she did not start the clock when the throw-in was touched by A2. The clock still shows five seconds. RULING: The referee will order the clock set at two seconds. The referee has definite knowledge of the amount of time involved in this situation by using the closely-guarded count.

[BigCat]

When end of game is near and clock is an issue (because of score) have a count...Even if you are C or L. Inbounds is touched and you move your arm halfway. That’s definite enough knowledge. .5 of second.

Even if you don’t move your arm you can say it was half second. Put time on clock. Trying to say it was .2 or .3 is likely a guess.

[Kelvin green]

Not much of a guess... I suspect that the person used the rule on catch and shoot to assist in determining this time. I wish they’d just put it in the book for other situations so it is legitimate.