[ajmc]

To some it may sound like overkill, but a sound mechanic regarding TOs is for the entire crew to write down the clock time for each charged TO on their game card and confirm which team called TO and how many TOs each team has left after EVERY called TO. If there is a question about when time outs were called, providing the exact (game) time of what quarter and what # player called TO serves as an argument killing answer.

The wing officials should directly advise their respective Head Coaches (whether they appreciate the information, or not) at the end of EVERY TO, for either team, how many TOs BOTH teams have remaining. After that 3rd TO is taken, the crew confirms with each other who's TOs have been exausted and both coaches should be advised of who is out of TOs.

This only takes a couple of seconds, and quickly becomes consistent and a habit and keeps everyone updated on what the situation is with remaining TOs.

When a player, or coach, who has already used their 3 TOs, requests another, the simple and direct answer is, "No", and do not stop the clock. If you've kept your sideline updated on TOs throughout the game, any and all confusion resulting from yoiur "No" is the responsibility of the team.

If you should have a brain fart, and instintively react to a requested TO by stopping the clock, the instant you realize it, you simply restart the clock as emphatically as necessary. Incorrectly stopping the clock is YOUR mistake, not the team's even though they asked you to stop the clock, so there is NO penalty, other than you buying the first round after the game.