Best way to approach a referee

[dkmz17]

Just for all who have read this post, the rules read,

"Regulation High School Activities Association rules will be followed with the following exceptions:
• 20 minute running clock except for last 2 minutes of each half, unless one team is ahead by 15 points. If lead falls below 15 points, clock will again stop. In addition, clock will stop on all technical fouls, injuries or timeouts (including officials TO). Clock does not restart until it would in a normal dead ball situation."

No other exceptions listed in the rules apply to timing.

After the timeout ended and the teams returned to the court, play proceeded something like this:

Ref walks onto the court to administer free throws, hands the ball to the shooter and "circles" his finger at the timer to start the clock.

Coach says "I called timeout, the clock doesn't start yet!"

Ref: "Yes it does, the clock starts when I handed the ball to the shooter and the ball became live".

Coach: "No, it starts when it normally should after a dead ball"

Ref: "No, it starts now, you need to read the rules!"

At this point, what should a coach do, other than complain to the gym administrator?

[Adam]

All you have at this point is to talk to the tournament director or the game admin. Whoever is running the tournament. In the future, as the refs at the start of the game so no one is surprised.

[Splute]

dkmz17, I would like to know what the Association rules on this specific situation. If you find out, update us. IMO the Official maintained the intent of the running clock prior to the 2:00 minute mark; however, you do make an interesting point and that would have been a very smart move. I have read both sides from the other post and all make valid points, but it would be good to know what the association intended. Not to mention the forum gave good advice on how to approach officials.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by dkmz17

Just for all who have read this post, the rules read,

"Clock does not restart until it would in a normal dead ball situation."

You didn't state this was what the rules said in your original post. Many of the comments were based on this not being the case. Next time, give all the information that is meaningful and you will get straighter answers.

[Brad]

Originally Posted by dkmz17

I complained that the clock should not start until a throw in after made free throws or until it was touched by a player or touched the court after a miss. The referee told me that the ball became live and the clock started when he handed the ball to the shooter. When I complained again, he told me I needed to "read the rules" and insisted that the clock run.

What can or should be done by a coach in that circumstance?

He was right. You were wrong.

[dkmz17]

Originally Posted by Brad

He was right. You were wrong.

I totally disagree with that. There is no way that the clock restarts when the ball is handed to the shooter for a free throw. The rules clearly state that the clock restarts "...as it normally would after a dead ball."

[Brad]

Originally Posted by dkmz17

I totally disagree with that. There is no way that the clock restarts when the ball is handed to the shooter for a free throw. The rules clearly state that the clock restarts "...as it normally would after a dead ball."

You were right. I was wrong.



I conveniently skipped over that part of your post! LOL

Now I remember why I don't post here often... (1) It takes up too much time away from working and (2) I'm not right often enough!

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by dkmz17

I totally disagree with that. There is no way that the clock restarts when the ball is handed to the shooter for a free throw. The rules clearly state that the clock restarts "...as it normally would after a dead ball."

What rules? Your summer league rules?

Who knows how the official was interpreting special timing summer league rules, or what instructions he was given by the TD?

Once the official gave you a ruling though, that's it- right or wrong. End of story. If you don't agree, take it up with whoever runs your rec league and get them to give you a ruling. If the official did screw up, let whoever is running the summer league figure out what to do about it.