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.

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