The Official Forum - Are officials allowed to "guess" the amount of time to put on the clock?

Are we allowed to take time off the clock WITHOUT having definite knowledge? Based on the NFHS Rules Interpretations 09-10 Situation 11, it looks like we are allowed too. When are we allowed to "put the correct time on the clock BUT make an allowance for the touching by A1"? Would we be allowed to in a situation similar to this: Bulls vs Nuggets 3-tenths. Go to the 1:35 mark and see how they took off .3 on the game clock when there is a rebound and a timeout. Should we use .3 as the amount of time to remove in Situation 11's play? Don't get me wrong I think this could be a good thing BUT I think there needs to be well defined guidelines on how much time to add or remove on a catch, touch, etc.

Quote:

SITUATION 11: Team B scores a goal to take the lead by one point. A1 immediately requests and is granted a timeout with three seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Following the time-out, Team A is awarded the ball for a throw-in from anywhere along the end line. A1 passes the ball to A2, who is also outside the boundary; A2 passes the ball to A1 who is inbounds and running the length of the court. The timer mistakenly starts the clock when A2 touches A1’s pass while standing outside the boundary. An official notices the clock starting on A2’s touch (a), before A2 releases the throw-in pass to A1, (b), while A2’s throw-in pass is in flight to A1, or (c), as soon as A1 catches the throw-in pass.

RULING: This is an obvious timing mistake and may be corrected. In (a) and (b), the official shall blow the whistle, stop play and direct the timer to put three seconds on the game clock. Since the throw-in had not ended, play is resumed with a Team A throw-in from anywhere along the end line. In (c), the official may put the correct time on the clock, but must make some allowance for the touching by A1 – likely 10ths of a second, if displayed. The ball is put in play nearest to where it was located when the stoppage occurred to correct the timing mistake. A “do over” is not permitted in (c), since the throw-in had ended. (4-36; 5-10-1)