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 nor 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 referees stop the game and awards a re-start to the defending team unless they decide 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 touches the ball in their attack zone;
• an attacker touches 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 touches the ball after a missed penalty;
• the referees whistle for the recommencement of the game after they have 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 referees whistles for a re-start, a free pass or a penalty;
• the referees whistles for an injury of a defender.

After one of the situations mentioned in c) occurs, the shot clock starts from 25 seconds (accordingto a)).

d) The shot clock is stopped when the referees 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 situations mentioned in d) occurs, the shot clock continues counting down from the time it was stopped. The shot clock starts counting down at the moment the referees whistle 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 touches the ball after the ball is brought into play

If the ball touches the korf directly from the throw from the taker of the out-ball, the shot clock is not reset to 25 seconds.

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 referees should indicate that they have seen the ball touch the korf by using the official signal (see referee signals).

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

The referees 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.