Game Clock is running. A punts the football on fourth down from their own 40. B catches the ball at their own 20 and got tackled inbounds at their own 25. At the snap, A is flagged for illegal formation ( 6 men on the line). B accepts the penalty for illegal formation. A is moved back 5 yards from the previous spot. Does the clock start on the ready?

In NF, "clock starts on the snap when either team is awarded a new series following a legal kick.
In NCAA "in all cases the game clock starts on the snap after a legal kick."

Since the ball became dead inbounds, in the field, and no team was awarded a new series, the clock starts on the ready under fed rules.
Makes no difference whether the clock was running before the play. The snap started a new play and the clock status at the end of that play is what counts.

Thanks Jim S. We were using Fed Rules and got it right on the field.

Canadian Ruling
 

Before the 3 minute warning: on the ready.

After the 3 minute warning: on the snap.

Arkansas ruling!
 

During a varsity contest, the clock starts on the snap. During a Jr. High contest the clock starts on the RFP, as per "the 1995-1996 NFHS rules."

I asked our state association to provide me with a copy of the 95-96 rule book b/c I was not calling football then. No response.

I asked for a quotation from the rule book. No luck.

Sometimes I think these guys are really Canadians...

:D

Re: Arkansas ruling!
 

They would be so lucky. ;)

+_+ Almost on the NF part. If the kicked ball rolled OOB or if the team-R receiver fair caught the ball, the clock would start on the SNAP if the penalty against team-K was accepted.
Neither team was awarded a new series, but as you hopefully see, the clock still starts on the snap.

JimS posted the correct result.

Ya, I stated the rules, but really did not answer the question. Jim S is correct.

Jumpmaster, what you are saying is pretty much what we do. The 'new' timing rules for varsity, and the 'old' timing rules for non-varsity.
Under the old rules you go with the RFP after changes of possession, including after a free kick, as long as the ball remains in the field of play. (I normally use this as the start of a 'faster' clock on blow-outs, It's the least obvious speed-up you can do.)
The rule on this question howver would be the same under BOTH sets of rules. The clock should start on the RFP. Just because there is a kick does not mean that for the next play the clock will start on the snp. There must be a new series for that to happen.

Sorry - my mistake. I thought the question referred to R after the new series was awarded.