Mechanic: Clock Didn't Start

[Camron Rust]

Originally posted by Jurassic Referee

For example, sideline throwin at midcourt. A2 throws to A1 in the FC with no defensive pressure. A1 dribbles back and forth across the court near the division line with no defensive pressure. He crosses the court 3 times, sideline to sideline, at a walking pace. Knowing that it takes at least 3 seconds or more to cross the court at a walk, I can take off 9 seconds. That is definite knowledge.

[/B]

I disagree completely with that. The only way that you can have definite knowledge is through an official's count of some type, or having some other type of official information available. Using your own estimate of time consumed is not considered having DEFINITE information relative to the time involved. It's a guess on your part- as you admitted above by using the terms "at least" and "or more". Those aren't definitive terms. If it took 3.5 seconds/trip, which is the "or more" part of your equation, you would have to add 10.5 seconds back on instead of 9 seconds.

No guessing allowed according to the rules covering this one. [/B][/QUOTE]

Definite does not equal precise. What you are describing is precise information.

If you know for sure that it took more than 10 seconds but not sure how much more, you have definite knowledge to allow you to take 10 seconds off the clock. You stop at 10 because you don't have further knowledge. You're not guessing, you're calculating based on basic actions.

This is not much different than the 0.3 seconds on a catch and shoot. There are certain actions that take a minimum amount of time to execute.

If you have no clue, of course you can't take anything off.