I was at a game to day and the coach called time out but it was not given to him and the game ended. What I am asking is who can call a time out and when? I was told that the coaches can only call time outs when there is a whistle and there wasn't one is this right or can a coach call time out, meaning that he personally calls for the time out or does a player on the court have to call it
just wondering
is there a clear answer and if so can i get one

Steve,

The coach or a player in the game may call time out any time that the ball is dead. If the ball is alive, only the head coach or a player in the game for the team with the ball can request a timeout that will be granted. If the other team requests a time out, the request should be ignored.

A little clarification. Only the Official can call a time out. The Head coach and any of the 5 players on the floor may request a timeout during a dead ball or while that team has player control.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Geneva">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Tim Roden on 11-19-1999 11:17 AM
A little clarification. Only the Official can call a time out. The Head coach and any of the 5 players on the floor may request a timeout during a dead ball or while that team has player control.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

... or the ball is at the disposal of a player of that team (e.g., on a throw-in or a free-throw).

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Geneva">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Tim Roden on 11-19-1999 11:17 AM
... while that team has player control.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

To Clarify:
"while a player of that team has player control" in other words no Time out granted during an interrupted dribble, loose ball or while a ball is being passed between teammates.

Be careful -- its tempting to immediately react to the TO request. Make CERTAIN the person requesting is legally able to do so at the time.