How can you call a time out in the air?

[mrkleen]

I NEVER understood this one.

You grab the ball from your opponent and on your way out of bounds (in the air) you signal for a time out.

Why is this allowed?

Shouldnt you have to have CONTROL of the ball and clear cut POSSESSION in order to call a time out?

You have to have one foot (or both) in bounds and control the ball in football for you to be considered to have posession.

So how can you be in the air and call a time out in Basketball?