Timing at end of game

[Ed Hickland]

I asked about the score because it will determine how you react regardless of the rules.

By rule, you simply start the clock and let everything happen.

If an A player deliberately forced a timeout for equipment repair, you allow it. To penalize a player at this point in my belief is being overly officious. Coach A will probably go ape in which case you end up tossing him for an USC. The player gets upsets and tosses his helmet, another USC. Fans the riled. A fight breaks out in the stands. The police are called en masse. When in twenty seconds you could have been on your way to dinner.

Does A gain an advantage?

If A has an insurmountable lead, fix the problem, end the game and go home.

If A needs time to complete a play. Allow the repair and start the clock on the ready. DO NOT allow any coaching to take place during the time out as it gives A an advantage.

If A just wants to run up the score or to narrow the margin. Fix the problem. Start the clock and go home.

Officiating requires knowledge of the rules and good common sense.