Originally Posted by billyu2 (Post 1046701)

Many times officials will rule in favor of the coach, saying the “request” was made when there was player control ... If the coach doesn’t understand by rule we must first be certain of the status of the ball (PC) before granting his time out request, that is his problem not ours. Locate the ball. Then make your decision. PC, yes? Whistle, grant time out. No PC? No whistle. No time out.

Originally Posted by billyu2 (Post 1046701)

The principle here is not any different than ruling on the release of a last-second shot. Would any official whistle the ball dead without accurate knowledge of the location of the ball? Locate the ball. Ball touching hand? Whistle, no shot. Ball in flight? No whistle.

Originally Posted by BillyMac (Post 1046708)

Agree with billyu2's well worded post, as do points of emphasis (with fuzzy wording similar to the actual fuzzy language of the actual rule) published over six different years.

However a twenty-three year old interpretation seems, at first glance, to disagree with both of us.

1998-99 NFHS Basketball Rules Interpretations: Situation 8: A1 is dribbling the ball in the frontcourt. The ball bounces off his leg into the backcourt. As A1 goes into backcourt to retrieve the ball, the head coach requests a time-out. Can the time-out request by the head coach be granted by the officials? Ruling: No. Team must be in player control when the verbal or visual request is made by the head coach and recognized by the official. (5-8-3a)

However, the phrase "and recognized by the official" can also be considered slightly fuzzy language.



Appreciate the effort from billyu2, but this is not an analogous situation. We can keep our "eye on the ball" 100% of the time while we listen for the horn at the same time. Also, there's no fuzzy language regarding a shot at the buzzer, it's pretty much straight forward.

Originally Posted by billyu2 (Post 1046716)

... being absolutely sure of the location of the ball that is imperative in both situations.

Originally Posted by Camron Rust (Post 1046690)

White requested the TO when white had the ball, you acknowledged it when white had the ball, you blew the whistle. A little bit slow on the whistle doesn't change the fact that you heard it and decided to grant it when white had the ball. White timeout, white ball.

Originally Posted by MechanicGuy (Post 1046730)

... if you KNOW white asked for the TO when white had the ball, you should grant the TO.

Originally Posted by MechanicGuy (Post 1046730)

This.

It will require an emphatic call and bit of salesmanship, but if you KNOW white asked for the TO when white had the ball, you should grant the TO.

Originally Posted by billyu2 (Post 1046741)

You would be better off if you KNOW white is asking for a TO and you see white HAS the ball, then grant the TO. No salesmanship required.

Originally Posted by MechanicGuy (Post 1046765)

If there is brief player control, and the opposing coach doesn't hear the request, you are going need to sell the call.