Feeble Rules...
 

Under FIBA rules (ie real basketball rules :)) The head coach is the ONLY person that may request a timeout. And strictly speaking, the request must come before a deadball opportunity.

In other words, once the ball is dead, a timeout cannot be granted for that dead ball period. Obviously this is not rigoursly enforced, and if the situation permits it, the official will usually grant a timeout, even if the ball is already dead.

Unfortunately, with the spread of the NBA-style rules, and the increase in the number of players watching NBA games on TV in Australia, many, many players and coaches believe that a player on the floor may request a timeout. This is worsened by the fact that our professional league (the NBL) also allows timeout requests from players, including whilst the ball is live.

Under FIBA Rules (Art 27) only the coach or assistant coach may request a time-out.

We often have a problem early in the season with ex-college players who try to call time from the floor, especially on a press/pressure defense. We do try to talk to the new players, but during the game..............!