untimed down or not.....??

[Middleman]

Originally posted by otis3zeb
Team A has no time-outs. Driving for the go ahead score. with 10 sec. to go. They complete a pass for first down, 20 yards down the field, with 5 sec. to go, we stop the clock for movement of chains, and with 3 secs, Team A hurries and snaps the ball with his lineman not set to try and spike the ball. We throw a flag for false start, movement on the Offense, after resetting the ball, Do we start the clock on ready for play or snap?

...An untimed down just don't make since it this situation, cause your giving the team an unfair advantage to kick the winning field goal ...

Are we talking FED here?

Contrary to what both you and STEVED21 say, when everyone is in a hurry as you describe (your words, "Team A hurries and snaps the ball with his lineman not set to try and spike the ball."), the likely foul is not a false start, but rather an illegal shift (failure to set for a second ; 7-2-6) or and illegal formation (players not in position).

This play is covered in the Casebook, Play 7.5.2 SITUATION E. The "spike" was legal, and therefore the clock stoppage was legal. Enforce the five yard penalty for the illegal shift and start the clock on the snap.

If, on the other hand, you really did have a false start or a snap infraction (7-1-2,-3,or -7), then the answer by STEVED21 is correct.

As far as the "unfair advantage" is concerned, a "spike" is legal, so that in itself is not unfair when enforced properly. Often, teams look upon the "spike" as a free "time out" when in fact it is nothing more than an incomplete pass. The referee must ensure he does not delay the ready for play, thereby giving the offense (undeserved) extra time to set up for the attempted field goal.