I call this a heads up play. Tell me if you agree

[Bob M.]

Originally posted by lawref
The Referee has the authority to start the clock on the ready in this situation if he determines the act was done by the ball carrier as a means to conserve time or make a travesty of the game. I would probably start the clock on the ready in this situation.

REPLY: Remember that the R has the authority to order the clock started or stopped only if the team illegally attempts to conserve or consume time. Since a backward pass OOB is not illegal in Federation, there's no justification for the R to invoke NF 3-6-3.

Interestingly, prior to 1987, 3-6-3 did not include the word "illegally," meaning that the R could have ordered the clock started. But in 1987, the editors added the stipulation that only illegal acts could justify invocation of 3-6-3.