Clock correction?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

LENGTH OF EXTRA PERIOD INCORRECT
5.7.3 SITUATION: Following a violation in the first extra period, the timer beckons the referee to the table. The timer informs the referee that by mistake the period started with: (a) more; or (b) less than four minutes on the clock. RULING: In (a), if the mistake is discovered before the clock reaches four minutes, the clock shall be set at four minutes and play resumes. If discovered after reaching four minutes, no correction is allowed. In (b), the appropriate amount of time shall be added to reflect a four-minute period. (2-5-5)

I know that's the case. But, why is the procedure different in (a) than in (b)? In both cases, you (presumably) know how much time was on the clock at the start, so you can make the correct adjustment when the error was discovered.