The magic number

[ChuckElias]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

I'm of the opinion that my 10-second count determines the violation. Others believe that "25 seconds on the shot clock" indicates you should have a violation.

The fact is, IMHO, that both opinions are valid. By rule, your 10-second count determines the violation. And if the clock never starts, then your 10-second count is considered "definite knowledge" of how much time should be taken off the clock.

The other fact is that if you know the shot clock started correctly and team control was established immediately at the first touch, then when the shot clock shows 25, 10 seconds have elapsed, regardless of where your count is. In that situation, I believe (if you are aware of the shot clock) that you call the violation based on the clock.

There will be times when you know that the clock did not start properly. For example, after a made basket the ball is inbounded and you look up and see the clock already at 33. Obviously, the timer started the clock before it was inbounded. You can fix it or not (that's a different argument); but in that game, I would use my count exclusively since I know I can't rely on the timer.

So you are absolutely correct that your count is the determining factor by rule. But I think it is simply common sense to use the shot clock if you know that it is operating correctly.