Clock status

[Mike51]

NFHS B intercepts A's pass and runs to the A 5 yard line before fumbling the ball. Recovery is by A at the one.
I started the clock on the ready. Right or wrong?

TIA

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by Mike51

B intercepts A's pass and runs to the A 5 yard line before fumbling the ball. Recovery is by A at the one.
I started the clock on the ready.

CANADIAN RULING:

• Before the 3-minute warning
  • On the RFP, as only after the TO or Time Count foul does the clock start on the snap.
• After the 3-minute warning
  • On the Snap due to COP. COP is 1 of 7 ways that dictate the clock starts on the snap.

[Ed Hickland]

Originally Posted by Mike51

NFHS B intercepts A's pass and runs to the A 5 yard line before fumbling the ball. Recovery is by A at the one.
I started the clock on the ready. Right or wrong?

TIA

Correct. Since the change in possession was not by a legal kick, the clock starts on the ready for play.

Had the change involved a legal kick it starts on the snap. Reason being, previous to the current rule the change in possession following a legal kick, it was felt referees where inconsistent in blowing the ready for play while squads changed. Since squads do not change on this situation there was no need to delay the ready until the snap.

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by Ed Hickland

Correct. Since the change in possession was not by a legal kick, the clock starts on the ready for play.

Had the change involved a legal kick it starts on the snap. Reason being, previous to the current rule the change in possession following a legal kick, it was felt referees where inconsistent in blowing the ready for play while squads changed. Since squads do not change on this situation there was no need to delay the ready until the snap.

Seems that argument from consistency would've been used to justify not stopping the clock at all, rather than stopping until RFP.

[waltjp]

A is starting a new series so you have to stop the clock to set the chains...and pick up all the bean bags!

[Ed Hickland]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

Seems that argument from consistency would've been used to justify not stopping the clock at all, rather than stopping until RFP.

By rule, the clock would be stopped for a first down as there had been a change in possession -- from A to B back to A -- but would start on the ready for play once the stakes are set.

Contrast that with a legal kick, K or A has its kicking team in for a punt. R or B muffs the punt and R recovers. R must now bring on their offense and K their defense.

The argument was referees were delaying or rushing the RFP in order to accomodate the change in squads and setting the chains.

This would not be the case when A's offense is on the field and the ball is recovered after a period of possession by B.