What about starting the clock? I have been to many close games lately where the clock keeper ( usually the team that is down) Forgets...to turn the clock on. Even with the crowd screaming. Happened 2 x in one game during the last minute but never before that. ...hmm

 

I do believe sometimes reaction time is slow. and that the officials should watch it a the end of the game.

 

A lot of timekeepers (especially inexperienced ones) will get caught up in watching a game and completely forget to start the clock. I would say (hopefully) that most of the time it is unintentional. If that happens, all the refs can do is guess and do the best they can to reset the clock properly.

Scenario:

 

Team A scores a basket with 3 seconds left. Team B calls a TO. On the throw-in B1 throws to B2 who has stepped OOB. B2 then throws a long pass to B3.

 

However, the scorer, not watching the official, starts the clock as soon as B2 catches the ball. The horn goes off while B2's long pass is still in the air.

 

Now what?

Scenario:

 

Team A scores a basket with 3 seconds left. Team B calls a TO. On the throw-in B1 throws to B2 who has stepped OOB. B2 then throws a long pass to B3.

 

However, the scorer, not watching the official, starts the clock as soon as B2 catches the ball. The horn goes off while B2's long pass is still in the air.

 

Now what?

 

Since everyone will likely stop when the horn goes off but no time should have gone off the clock, I think you have to reset the clock and play the play over.

Since everyone will likely stop when the horn goes off but no time should have gone off the clock, I think you have to reset the clock and play the play over.

 

Imagine explaining that one to the visiting coach who just drew up the perfect play only to have the home team timer screw up!

As a timekeeper I'll agree I have caught myself getting caught up in the game and have forgot to stop or start the clock but knock on wood it hasn't been on a last second play its always been in the middle of the game. We have a handheld button and I used to use it but I got to noticing that it didnt start or stop the clock properly so I took it off and no longer use it.

Time should not be added on the clock. There is absolutely no way the official can even know the correct time if he/she is watching the game and doing his/her job right?

 

 

Completely false! Examples have been given in this thread where it is justified to reset the clock. Exactly the opposite, if an official is doing his/her job they should know if time needs to be adjusted. Also, the clock doesn't stop when a coach yells for a time out. The official must recognize the time out and grant it before the clock is stopped. :thumb:

Many people don't understand reaction time. Most people's reaction time varies between .5 to 1 second, either. If the coach calls for a time out a second or more may run off the clock before the official blows the whistle and the clock keeper stops it. If the official is looking at the clock when it happens he/she might know the correct time and be able add the time back on.

 

It doesn't matter when the timeout is called by the coach, the clock doesn't stop intill the whistle blows.

It doesn't matter when the timeout is called by the coach, the clock doesn't stop intill the whistle blows.

 

It matters when the official recognizes that the coach is calling for a timeout. At that point, time can be added to make up for any decrepancies.

It matters when the official recognizes that the coach is calling for a timeout. At that point, time can be added to make up for any decrepancies.

 

I've never seen it happen unless maybe at the end of a game. Maybe.

A referee can only add time on the clock when he or she knows absolutely for sure how much time needs added, and only then. A ref cannot just guess and make up such a time, if he or she is a good ref, then they will only add under these circumstances.

A referee can only add time on the clock when he or she knows absolutely for sure how much time needs added, and only then. A ref cannot just guess and make up such a time, if he or she is a good ref, then they will only add under these circumstances.

 

Agreed.

If your reaction time is that slow, you shouldn't be keeping a game clock.

 

There are two times when it is clear and a ref should add time. 1. Anytime a "significant" amount of time runs off after a whistle. One or both (and definitely if there are 3) of the officials should be able to locate the clock within a half second of a whistle. If another second or more runs off, he can clearly see it--reset it. 2. If a whistle sounds and then the horn goes off, clearly, after the whistle. There would probably need to be a half second or more delay to put time back up.

Of course, this is usually only a problem late in a game or quarter but IF it's obvious, it needs to be changed. However, there are some places when "incompetence" or just plain-old "homers" run the clock.

 

:thumb: I have realized with so many differing posts here, all with reasonable merit, the problem I was mentioning cannot be fixed by the officials. A good homer, starts manipulating the clock long before the official would notice exactly how much time to put back on. It makes me wonder if the officials should not risk erring on the side of the visitors each time when this continues to happen.:idunno:

 

As a side note, to not start undue controversy within my area, the person I was referring to, has been retired for some time now.

It matters when the official recognizes that the coach is calling for a timeout. At that point, time can be added to make up for any decrepancies.

 

What do you mean by "decrepancies"?

 

If you're saying that the coach was yelling for a timeout and the ref didn't see or hear him or had to turn around to verify that it was the coach calling for the timeout, then you're incorrect. (However, a good ref will keep one eye on the bench in late game situation in which a timeout is likely because it is possible that they will not be able to hear)

If you're saying that the decrepancy occurs because there was a substantial delay between the whistle and the clock stopping, then you're correct.

A referee can only add time on the clock when he or she knows absolutely for sure how much time needs added, and only then. A ref cannot just guess and make up such a time, if he or she is a good ref, then they will only add under these circumstances.

 

I wouldn't totally agree with that. What if the ball goes out of bounds, the whistle blows and then the horn goes off a full second or two later? One of the officials SHOULD have been checking the clock but neither one did. They will come together and estimate the amount of time between the whistle and horn and put that time back on the clock.