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We shouldn't question WHY a team asks for a timeout -- not until specific language is put in the rules forbidding a timeout in certain situations, like on a player going out of bounds with the ball.
I had a situation a few weeks ago:
Team B had the ball and apparently team B's head coach started asking for a timeout right about when his player started driving to the hoop. I didn't recognize the timeout request as such until the ball was in the basket and my partner had called a block on the play.
All I did was mention to my partner that the ball had gone in and that the coach may want a timeout once he reports the foul -- what else can officials do?
I'm seriously considering introducing myself by name and asking the coaches to use my name when requesting a timeout -- the last varsity coach I worked with did this and my first name ALWAYS gets my attention. I've missed two timeout requests this season (well, until the coaches were screaming at me and thinking that I'm deaf) even though I think I do a pretty good job of anticipating a "time-out" situation.
Of all the changes made in the last five years, this is the one I wish they'd take away.
Rich
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