3-4-3-a situation

[sj]

A 2/2 @ B33. 4th quarter. Team B is behind by two points and needs to get the ball back. B has one timeout remaining. Running back A21 runs to the B30 where he is tackled inbounds for a first down. A74 is flagged for holding at the line of scrimmage and the game clock is stopped at 5:38. B14 was injured during the play. Include game clock status.

So it will be A 2/12 @ B43 - Ready - Play clock is set to 40 (AR 3-2-4 V) 

The question is, even though it's outside the five minute guideline in 3-4-3-a would you consider invoking 3-4-3-a and have the game clock start on the Snap?

[dammitbobby]

I would not, for a couple reasons.... first, there are two reasons the clock stopped - to administer A's foul, and B's helmet coming off. I don't see why we would give a clock advantage to A, when both teams technically stopped the clock for administrative purposes. If it were just B going down injured: nope, still wouldn't... there's a reason why that 5 minute guideline is there (because that's what they want the guiding time boundary to be, not 5-ish minutes left), and IMO 5:38 is too far away from that - even with clock not stopping, A could easily run 2, maybe 3 plays before the 5 min mark.  While it will start on the ready, Team A should be taking this time to get their business together and there is no reason that they can't be ready to snap immediately after the RFP.

[Kalle]

I would not, for a couple reasons....

So you are not concerned that team A gets a "free" extra 15 seconds they can burn off the clock due to the team B injury?

I think 5:38 is too far outside the five minute guidance that I would not invoke 3-4-3-a. I think it is meant to be a soft boundary, so a similar situation with 5:05 on the clock, I might think differently.

[dammitbobby]

So you are not concerned that team A gets a "free" extra 15 seconds they can burn off the clock due to the team B injury?

I think 5:38 is too far outside the five minute guidance that I would not invoke 3-4-3-a. I think it is meant to be a soft boundary, so a similar situation with 5:05 on the clock, I might think differently.

I am not, because we are not yet at a point in the game where the guidance in the rule book is intended to be applicable.

Just re-read what I wrote last night (I incorrectly thought Team A was behind in score, hence would try to go quickly) but my point still stands: That 15 second delta still doesn't get us to the 5 minute mark, and is no different than having 7, 9, or 11 minutes left on the clock from that perspective. IMO 5 minutes left is still anyone's ballgame in a 2-point game.

[TxJim]

Going back to the OP, what are the suspected "tactics obviously unfair" in consideration for using 3-4-3-a?