[Tom Hinrichs]

This can be a sticky situation. If the number of T.O's matter it is usually late in the game, and the game is close. This an instance where preventative officiating pays great dividents.

1. Have the wings inform the coach, as he breaks the team huddle or as his team returns to the field the # of T.O.'s that he has left after each T.O.

2. I stick my head into the offensive huddle (as the R) and inform the players that after the last time out- "You are out of Time Outs- dont ask for any." The U does the same for the defense.

3. Any request for an excessive T.O. is met with a shake of the head and the response, "You are out of Time Outs. In no case will we grant an escessive T.O.- no matter how urgent the request.

It is imparative that all of the crew know how many T.O.'s each team has. We remind one another when they are out-just as we remind the team.

4. When a coach wants to call a T.O. but the players dont hear him, we will direct the closest player to "Look at your bench." If it is close to the snap, we will grant the T.O. and write down the # of the closest player.

There is no reason not to grant a team a T.O. that it wants. There is enough to call during a game- you certainly dont have to find a foul here, when a foul can easily be prevented.