Question Number: 31977

High School 11/2/2017

RE: High School

Steve Bryan of Clemmons, NC USA asks...

I was keeping the time clock and the home team kept instructing to restart the clock on the whistle after a stoppage for injury or a card. I have been told that you start the clock when the ball is put in play not on the whistle-what does the rule say?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Steve
The clock starts on the restart not on the whistle. So the team was incorrect.
Rule 6 states ** The official timer shall:a. start the timing device when the ball is put into play and stop the timing device when signaled to do so by a referee for an injury, for a penalty kick, for a caution, for a disqualification, following the scoring of a goal and when an official orders the clock to be stopped.........
I would go as far as to advise the team to focus on the game not on game timing.

Answer provided by Referee Joe Manjone

Steve,
As Ref McHugh indicates, you were correct as is indicated in Rule 6 on Page 35 of the NFHS Rules Book.

As is indicated in the NFHS signals, the referee is to signal when the clock is to start. When the referee conferences with you prior to the start of play, you may indicate that past problems and request that he/she signal for start of the clock. This should alleviate future requests to start the clock on the whistle. I hope your future games go well.

I want you to know that, as a timer, you are greatly appreciated by the referee.