[icallfouls]

It is certainly good advice that has been offered here.

Now, let me put it to you all a bit differently.

We are now into conference play. Some teams have been bending this rule all season long and as a result get an extra 5-10 seconds on most of the timeouts during the season. The officials have been leanient in getting the procrastinating coach/team ready for play. By the way, unless there is a first time coach, who never played, and has never been to a game, knows what the rule is and by taking extra time is gaining an advantage by getting that extra bit of coaching time.

We now have the team that procrastinates playing a team that knows what their responsibility is. The coach/team is ready for play to begin but are kept waiting by this offending team. The coach starts grumbling, rightfully so, that they are ready to play, why are we still waiting?

If some official places the ball on the floor for this team just one time, they will be less likely to delay in the future. I guarantee you that the players will start moving. The officials that follow you will have one less problem to worry about and will thank you.

With all that said, I don't suggest putting the ball down in the closing minutes of a close game if it hasn't already been done.