I have always started the clock when a non jumper touches it. Is it legally touched when a jumper taps it or when a non jumper touches it? The rule book states that the clock starts when the ball is legally touched. I consider this a rather embarassing question, but please tell me where I can find somewhere in my rule book, case book, simplified rules or officials manual a reference to when the clock should be started on a jump ball or when the official should chop the start the clock signal.

You already found the reference-- the clock starts when the ball is legally touched. if the jumpers aren't excluded, they must be included in the definition of "legally touched". Don't be embarrassed to ask -- the only stupid questions are the ones by parents who want us to tell them that "those stupid refs should never have called that on their little Johnnie." Any sincere question from a real ref is always welcome.

Holy cow!!! Another official on this board from Southwest Washington!!! There goes the neighborhood!

Seriously, WAZebra - where are you located and what association do you work for??

I'm glad I saw this question as I was about to ask it myself.

Thanks for asking.

The ball becomes live when the referee releases the toss.

The clock starts when either jumper legally touches the ball.

What if neither jumper touches the ball and ball hits the floor? Does clock start when ball touches floor? (either jumper may pick it up at this time). I've seen this on free throws (everyone boxes, ball takes odd bounce over everyone's head) and hits floor before anyone touches.

You toss it again.

And the clock should still show 16:00. (Outside of MA, it should show 8:00, I guess). Well, unless it's OT, in which case it should show 4:00, even in MA. All that's for FED, the NCAA uses a 5 minute OT, like the NBA.

[Edited by ChuckElias on Dec 18th, 2003 at 01:48 PM]

Ball on floor with no touch by jumpers = rejump. one of the jumpers must touch the ball, but no more than two times.

In CT only the Prep Schools play 16:00 minute halves with shot clocks (35 boys, 30 girls). They play under their own interpretation of the NCAA rules (WNEPSA). When you are doing the 16:00 minute halves as opposed to the 8:00 quarter, the time seems to fly.

Basically, the 16 minute halves simply eliminate one "mandatory" time-out from each half. That's a good enough reason to use halves, right there. :)