Basketball rules

[Oz Referee]

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.

[LimeyRef]

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..............!