6.16 To exceed the allowed time-limit in the attack zone

Whenever the attacking team exceeds the 25 seconds time-limit to attack by neither scoring a goal or making the ball touch the korf from a shot by a player in the attacking zone.

This time-limit is indicated by a shot clock according to the procedures described below.

Exceeding the time-limit is indicated by the buzzer of the shot clock.

After exceeding the time-limit, the referee stops the game and awards a re-start to the defending team unless he decides to play-on in case the non-offending team has possession of the ball.

Procedure

a) The shot clock starts counting down from 25 seconds when:

• an attacker first seizes the ball in his attack zone;
• an attacker seizes the ball after the ball is brought into play by the taker of a throw off; a re-start or a free pass;
• an attacker seizes the ball after a missed penalty;
• the referee whistles for the recommencement of the game after he had stopped it due to a defender injury or fall.

b) The shot clock is reset on 25 seconds and starts counting down when:

• the ball touches the korf after a shot by an attacker.

c) The shot clock is stopped and reset on 25 seconds when:

• a defender takes the possession of the ball;
• a score is given by the referee;
• a period of the match has ended;
• the referee whistles for a re-start, a free pass or a penalty;
• the referee whistles for an injury of a defender.

After one of the above situations occur, the shot clock starts from 25 seconds (according to a)).

d) The shot clock is stopped when the referee whistles:

• for an out-ball;
• to stop the game due to an injury or fall of an attacker player;
• for situations of unreasonable advantage;
• for any interruption of the game for circumstances other than those mentioned above.

After one of the above situations occur, the shot clock starts counting down from the time it was at the moment it was stopped.

The shot clock starts counting down at the moment the referee whistles for the recommencement of the game, except for an out-ball. For an out-ball, the shot clock starts counting down at the moment the first attacker seizes the ball after the ball is brought into play.

When an attacker plays the ball directly or indirectly via a defender, backwards to a teammate in the defence zone, the shot clock is not stopped and is not re-set on 25 seconds again when an attacker comes in possession of the ball directly after such an occurrence.

If it may not be clear that the ball has touched the korf, the referee should indicate that he has seen the ball touch the korf by using the official signal (see referee signals).

The referee has the responsibility to check if the clock is being stopped and started correctly in accordance with the rules.

The referee will also allow a goal if, when the buzzer sounds, the ball had left the hands of a shooting attacker, was on its way to the korf and this shot passes through the korf.