a. The officials shall make the ball ready for play consistently throughout the game. The play clock will start its count down from 30 seconds, by rule depending on circumstances. A foul for illegal delay occurs if the play clock reaches :00 before the ball is put in play. b. Illegal delay includes:
1. Deliberately advancing the ball well after it is dead. 2. When a team is not ready for play after an intermission between periods, after a score, after a media timeout, or anytime the referee orders the ball put in play. 3. When a team is granted a timeout after having expended its allotted number of timeouts for the half or overtime period. 4. Defensive verbal or auditory tactics that disconcert offensive signals. 5. Defensive actions designed to cause a false start. 6. Putting the ball in play before it is ready for play. 7. Sideline Interference. 8. Action clearly designed to delay the officials from making the ball ready for play.
PENALTY – Dead-ball foul. Five yards from the succeeding spot. [S21]
