Can a coach call time out?

Yes a coach can call a time out, but it will only be granted under certain circumstances.

A time out will only be granted during a dead ball, or if the ball is live, your team must have player control.

Keep in mind, this is only for the fed rules, i think its the same in the NCAA, but i know for sure with FIBA rules its different. If i remember correctly, in FIBA rules, a coach makes the TO request to the table, and they sound a horn on the next dead ball, for the time out.

Uh-oh! Here it comes. . .

A wise man once told me that the correct answer is it depends. He/She can call timeout whenever he/she wants. The key word being can. It depends on the governing rules of the league you are working for. NFHS rules are as follows:

Yes, a coach may call a timeout if his/her team has control of the basketball or there is a dead ball.

No, a coach may not call a timeout if his/her team doesn't control the basketball.

I guess I got this one- before Mark P jumps all over it- kinda as a retirement rant. :D

No, a coach may not <b>call</b> a timeout. A coach may <b>request</b> a timeout. It is then up to the official whether he will <b>grant</b> that request.

[/B][/QUOTE]No, a coach may not <b>call</b> a timeout. A coach may <b>request</b> a timeout. It is then up to the official whether he will <b>grant</b> that request.
[/B][/QUOTE]

Ahhhh, yes! I agree. I thought I had all my bases covered. A few more posts and maybe I will learn to elaborate more deeply. Thank you!

I can feel another 17 page thread starting. ;)

No a coach cannot call a timeout. A coach may request a timeout. Only an official can stop the clock.

MTD, Sr.

Or a power malfunction . . . or a little kid running out from the stands and pulling the cords . . . or . . . . :p

If I read your replys correctly, only players and coachs can request a time out. Only the Refs can call a time out.

thanks for the replys.

Can any of you remember when rules were changed to allow a coach the ability to request a timeout?

About 6 seasons ago.

The coach couldn't always call a timeout?? I'm sure when i played about 9-10 years ago, the coaches could call timeouts.

It's been 6 YEARS since we could grant a coach's request for timeout?

Where did the time go? I remember that new rule like it was yesterday! Omigosh. And I'm not even old! :D

Thinking back on that, the only reason the coach could call a timeout was because it was a rec league, and the players were 7-8 years old.

Now it all makes sense.

BTW, why on earth did they want to give the coaches this power??

I've said before that I am not a fan of the rule which allows the HEAD coach to request a TO.
I'll also add the NBA rule is that the TO request must come from a player on the floor.