Clock Stoppage

[Mad Mike]

4th Down Punt by A. Ball is muffed downfield by B. Recovered by A at that spot. Clock is stopped briefly to set the chains for A, 1st & 10.

Is it correct to say there was no change of possession (even with the muff), thus the clock will start on the ready?

I found this reference in another post:

1. You need to learn the "major clock stoppers" — after any of these, the clock starts on the snap.
Rule 3-4-3:

a. The ball goes out of bounds.
b. B is awarded a new series.
c. Either team is awarded a new series following a legal kick.
d. The ball becomes dead behind the goal line.
e. A legal or illegal forward pass is incomplete.
f. A request for a charged or TV/radio time-out is granted.
g. A period ends.
h. A team attempts to consume time illegally.
i. The penalty for a delay of game foul is accepted.
j. A fair catch is made.

I am thinking that since the kick was legal, and A has a new series awarded to them (due to B's muff), the clock should start on the snap. Opinions please. Thanks.

[Patrick E.]

Clock starts on the snap -

"c.  Either team is awarded a new series following a legal kick."

[maven]

Important to remember that option (c) has TWO requirements: legal kick AND a new series. If you have a punt that's brought back for a penalty that backs up K, clock starts on the RFP.

Also, for Mad Mike: you'll notice that COP is not on the list of major clock stoppers that you quoted. Here's a play that shows why:

PLAY: Runner A1 fumbles, and B1 recovers and begins to advance. B1 then fumbles, and A2 recovers and is downed.

RULING: New series for A (5-1-3d). But clock will start on the RFP (3-4-2).

The rationale for starting the clock on the snap rather than the RFP is to allow the teams time without the clock running to swap out offense and defense. In this play, obviously that won't be necessary.

[VALJ]

Important to remember that option (c) has TWO requirements: legal kick AND a new series. If you have a punt that's brought back for a penalty that backs up K, clock starts on the RFP.

Unless option (j) occurred...

[Atlanta Blue]

Unless option (j) occurred...

or (a), or (f), or (g - then an untimed down)