Timeout!!
 

Rule: 4-12-4 reads while the ball remains live a loose ball always remains in control of the team whose player last had control, unless a try or tap for goal. 4-15-4-c says a timeout shall not be granted during an interrupted dribble. 4-21 says a fumble is an accidental loss of player control when ball unintentionally drops or slips from players grasp.

So, please help me understand a bit better for my own betterment. A1 passes to A2 who muffs the pass. Loose ball batted around. A coach yells timeout. By rule, A still in team control and can be granted? Or does the team control statement noted above exist only for team control fouls etc? Do we have to have player control in order to grant a timeout?

No. A live ball must be in player control (or at a team's disposal for a FT or throwin) for the team to be granted a timeout.

Thank you sir.
So, the team control statement I mentioned only related to fouls?

It relates to what team is in control of the ball in case the whistle blows for any reason.

Not at all, but team control is not sufficient for a TO request to be granted.

This Is Another Job For ...
 

... The Most Misunderstood Basketball Rules:

The head coach may request, and be granted, a timeout if his, or her, player is holding, or dribbling, the ball; or during a dead ball period. A player saving the ball in the air can ask for, and be granted, a timeout even if that player is going out of bounds. The key is whether, or not, the player has control of the ball.

5-8-3-a is the rule reference you're looking for.

Thanks welpe and everyone. I was trying to throw too many rules references into something very simple.

What about when the coach requests timeout before a jump ball is called?
 

SITUATION: A1 has control of the ball. B1 places hands on the ball and they begin to struggle to get the ball with neither player having an advantage. Coach A requests a timeout before the official calls a jump ball. Should the official grant the timeout of call a jump ball?

I work with a lot of guys who pre-game to be patience about granting time-outs in those situations.

My rule of thumb is if their player has initial possession and the call a timeout within a fraction of a second of the opposing player also obtaining posession, I will le the coach burn a time out. It could potentially save some rough play. It has to be very clear that the first player had sole player control. Otherwise I let them continue until a held ball is warranted. Maybe others have a better discription, ruling or understanding of this rule.

Is there such a thing as not "sole" player control? Is "sole" player control required to grant a TO?

If the conditions for a held ball were met first, call that. If the conditions for a TO were met first, call that.

Coach's request came after the ball was tied up.

Call the held ball and ask the coach if he still wants his TO.

Here's an actual play I had last year, to illustrate. I'm the T, tableside.

*A-1 releases a pass to A-2 in the BC. While the ball is in flight, HC A requests a time-out. Nothing granted.

*A-2 catches the ball at the division line and makes a long pass to A-3. While the ball is in flight, HC A requests another time-out. Nothing granted.

*A-3 catches the ball near the end line, right corner. HC A says, "Now I want..." and a shot is released.... "a time out."

*Swish for three.

I'm the new L. HC A and I make eye contact, and exchange a smile and headshake. My reply, "I didn't think you wanted one."

Why wasn't the timeout granted when A2 caught the ball?