Running clock & thoughts from officials

bob jenkins

BktBallRef wrote
Yes, you've asked, it's been answered and you continued to ask. Why persist? What is it that you still don't understand?

Exactly. Plus, every state / league is slighlty different, so no one here (unless they are from WA *and* have insight beyond what is apparently posted) will be able to give any specific guidance.

rockyroad

In Washington, the running clock will only be used in the second half, will go into effect when the score differential is 40 or more points, and once started will not be changed back. The only time the clock stops is on time-outs, between third and fourth quarter, during free throws, or if there is an injury.

It really is that simple.

Camron Rust

rockyroad wrote
The only time the clock stops is on time-outs, between third and fourth quarter, during free throws, or if there is an injury.

It really is that simple.

Or is it? When does it stop "during free throws"? When you hand the shooter the ball? When you report to the table? When the whistle is blown?

If it is the latter, the clock operator must know if there will be FTs or not in order to know whether the clock will stop or not. At a minimum, they must wait until the official indicates who the foul is on and if there will be FTs.

Sure, it is not really that big of a deal, but it isn't "that simple".

zm1283

Why stop it during free throws? Kind of defeats the purpose of the turbo clock. Ours runs if there is a 30 point lead in the 4th quarter and goes back to the regular clock if the lead goes under 30. It only stops for timeouts or injuries.

chseagle

rockyroad wrote
In Washington, the running clock will only be used in the second half, will go into effect when the score differential is 40 or more points, and once started will not be changed back. The only time the clock stops is on time-outs, between third and fourth quarter, during free throws, or if there is an injury.

It really is that simple.

Thanks for the clarifications, I'm trying to find contact information for the local board/association &, when I do, asking if I can attend a meeting before the season starts. This way I have a pool of experts I can ask in person beforehand, instead of at the last second in the middle of a game.

chseagle

zm1283 wrote
Why stop it during free throws? Kind of defeats the purpose of the turbo clock. Ours runs if there is a 30 point lead in the 4th quarter and goes back to the regular clock if the lead goes under 30. It only stops for timeouts or injuries.

What would happen then if those free throws are being taken with less than 30 seconds left & the point differential is 1-2 points?

There's all sorts of questions that can be asked about the use of a running clock. Depending on the rules being used, that is.

Different State Associations, rec organizations, etc. have different rules/regulations so what may be good for the goose, isn't for the gander.

JRutledge

chseagle wrote
What would happen then if those free throws are being taken with less than 30 seconds left & the point differential is 1-2 points?

There's all sorts of questions that can be asked about the use of a running clock. Depending on the rules being used, that is.

Different State Associations, rec organizations, etc. have different rules/regulations so what may be good for the goose, isn't for the gander.

This is why I think these rules are unnecessary in basketball. The clock runs most of the time anyway. I also doubt that if someone has a 30 point lead in a basketball game, they are going to come back that quickly with a running clock. Maybe in a stop clock game, but not likely with such a wide lead. And if that is possible the leading team is stupid as heck to let it happen.

Peace

Jurassic Referee

zm1283 wrote
Why stop it during free throws? Kind of defeats the purpose of the turbo clock. Ours runs if there is a 30 point lead in the 4th quarter and goes back to the regular clock if the lead goes under 30. It only stops for timeouts or injuries.

Because their local rule sez so.......🙂

It don't have to make sense. It just is.

They make 'em; we follow 'em...shrug.

BktBallRef

chseagle wrote
Thanks for the clarifications, I'm trying to find contact information for the local board/association &, when I do, asking if I can attend a meeting before the season starts. This way I have a pool of experts I can ask in person beforehand, instead of at the last second in the middle of a game.

Oh, they're just going to LOVE you!

rockyroad

Camron Rust wrote
Or is it? When does it stop "during free throws"? When you hand the shooter the ball? When you report to the table? When the whistle is blown?

If it is the latter, the clock operator must know if there will be FTs or not in order to know whether the clock will stop or not. At a minimum, they must wait until the official indicates who the foul is on and if there will be FTs.

Sure, it is not really that big of a deal, but it isn't "that simple".

No, it really is that simple. Even for those people who try to overanalyze everything.

At the point the official reports a foul to the table and indicates free throws will be attempted, the clock stops.

As to why they added that rule - I have no idea. As the Light Brigade once learned, "Ours is not to wonder why..."

justacoach

chseagle wrote
Thanks for the clarifications, I'm trying to find contact information for the local board/association &, when I do, asking if I can attend a meeting before the season starts. This way I have a pool of experts I can ask in person beforehand, instead of at the last second in the middle of a game.

You're gonna need an asbestos overcoat by the time you're done with that meeting!!

Rich

BktBallRef wrote
Oh, they're just going to LOVE you!

Reminds me of the scorer who tries to tell me that I can't whistle in a sub until he's squatting on the X and has formally reported to him and the horn's blown. My first thought is, "Yeah, and I can replace you" as I continue to do exactly what I always do.

grunewar

RichMSN wrote
Reminds me of the scorer who tries to tell me that I can't whistle in a sub until he's squatting on the X and has formally reported to him and the horn's blown. My first thought is, "Yeah, and I can replace you" as I continue to do exactly what I always do.

Well, you and "the Eagle" are just not going to be able to coexist! 😉

Rich

grunewar wrote
Well, you and "the Eagle" are just not going to be able to coexist! 😉

Heh. To be honest, I've only removed one scorer in 23 years.

Jurassic Referee

BktBallRef wrote
Oh, they're just going to LOVE you!

About as much as we've come to......

MD Longhorn

chseagle wrote
Like I stated before, I am asking so that I can have a better understanding. I'm trying to get information from the local association as well when the season gets closer I will be asking the School AD about it.

Maybe you need to tell us what exactly it is that you need a better understanding of. Not stopping the clock is pretty dang easy. Stop it only when you are supposed to (sound like that means time outs and free throws in your area... just time outs here). What is there to understand. Trust me, if you ask your school AD how to not stop the clock, you're going to be laughed at... maybe not to your face, but it WILL happen.

MD Longhorn

RichMSN wrote
Heh. To be honest, I've only removed one scorer in 23 years.

That's funny ... I have a total of 4 ejections in ALL of my football games over the years... and one of them was a scorekeeper / clock operator.

Camron Rust

rockyroad wrote
No, it really is that simple. Even for those people who try to overanalyze everything.

At the point the official reports a foul to the table and indicates free throws will be attempted, the clock stops.

As to why they added that rule - I have no idea. As the Light Brigade once learned, "Ours is not to wonder why..."

And that addition makes it simple. Without that clarification, there were too many options.

Personally, I'd prefer to see it run through the FTs....FTs sometimes make up the largest component of stop-clock time. Simple violations (OOB, traveling, etc.) just don't take that much time.

And yes, I thoroughly analyze everything. That is why I rarely mess up a rule on the court. On more than a few occasions, I have had partners who think they are too good to study the rules think I've missed something and make an AT&T call in front of me....only to be the wrong call (not judgement, but simply the wrong call). There is little I dislike more than a hot-shot referee that makes up their own rules because they don't know the real ones.

rockyroad

Camron Rust wrote
And yes, I thoroughly analyze everything. That is why I rarely mess up a rule on the court. On more than a few occasions, I have had partners who think they are too good to study the rules think I've missed something and make an AT&T call in front of me....only to be the wrong call (not judgement, but simply the wrong call). There is little I dislike more than a hot-shot referee that makes up their own rules because they don't know the real ones.

Interesting.

For the record, the analyze comment was not directed at you.

Camron Rust

rockyroad wrote
Interesting.

For the record, the analyze comment was not directed at you.

Thanks...but that shoe does fit some times. 😀

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