Starting the clock after a penalty Federation

[rdfox]

Let me add this to the discussion.

I had a quarterback stop the clock in a JV game Monday by throwing the ball down at his feet directly after a snap, except he was in a shotgun position. So we had flags for an illegal pass.

The incomplete pass was what stopped the clock, and yet it was an illegal manner for stopping the clock. I don't feel I should override the specific clock rule and use my discretion to start the clock on the ready-for-play whistle.

We administered a five-yard, loss-of-down penalty from the spot of the pass. Clock started on the snap, which is what they wanted, but they gave up a play and about ten total yards to get it because of their QB's not going under the center.

I suppose you could rule the action as an illegal delay of game (5 yards from the LOS) and then start the clock on the ready. That seems a stretch, though.