So are you going to make the coach actually say the words "Time-out" or show the little t signal with their hands? Or will direct eye contact and a nod from the coach be enough?

I'm going with the eye contact/nod since they have already communicated it to me - I want the definite request so it doesn't come back to bite me later, but I'm not making them say it in exactly a certain way...

Fine. Then allow coaches to request timeout during a dead ball, not a live ball. And yes, you require him to make the request at the proper time.

That's not the issue, Brad. I don't think anyone has a problem with those requests. The problem arises when they want a tiemout during a live ball, when they try to become part of the game on the floor. I'm speaking of situations where there's about to be a held ball, or A1 is trapped in the corner, or A2 is being pressured in the BC. In those situations, our focus has to be on the players on the floor, not somebody yelling "TIMEOUT!" behind us.

Those are the situations that concern those of us who don't like the rule. Like I said, make it available to them during dead balls only and it would be fine IMHO.

Is this a regional application of the rules? :D

Peace

This is getting silly.

If you're standing next a coach and he mutters "Timeout on the make" during any part of a free throw - or while his player or an opponent puts up a field goal attempt - then give it to him. Just give him the TO & move on.

IMO to make him ask again makes you an annoying irritant.

That would be great. I will keep making the suggestion annually.

Maybe someday it will happen.

BINGO. This "micro-dotting" of the rules is something that tends to get a lot of officials in trouble with coaches. Just because you are technically right doesn't mean that you are doing the right thing as far as common sense / game management is concerned.

Fashion Police
 

There is nothing wrong with the uniform rules. People will always push things to the max.

We make the kids tuck in their shirts, so what's wrong with telling them their headbands need to be color coordinated...

I am not sure I am a fan of the sweatband below the elbow rule but it will be easy to enforce.

If an official cant enfore a simple jersey requirement what other rules will they choose to ignore becuse it has nothing to do with basketball?

If there is a rule that differs from the NCAA or NBA simply tell the kid that when they get to the NBA they can do it there but even the NBA requires NO Tshirts (geeting a little loose) Tucking in the shirts, length of shorts etc so what's the big deal.

You get paid to enforce the rules.... when I evaluate the first thing that docks points is the blatant violations of the uniform rule...

Good to know. You doing any evaluating this summer? :D

Allow me to clarify my stand. I don't think you have to make him ask again. But I'm going to get a confirmation that he still wants it. Some coaches will tell you before the first of two. We may have subs come in, a lane violation, anything that could change the situation. All I have to do is turn and ask, "Coach, do you still want it?" He nods. TWEET!

Yes - this is where knowing and understanding the game situation comes into play. What if the free thrower turns and calls a time-out? Chances are that the other coach who originally requested a TO on the make no longer wants it.

You cannot officiate in a vacuum - you must understand what is going on in the game. Anyone can understand the rules - but not everyone can manage a game.

I believe a lot of things like this depend on the way you say things and the way you treat people. I have never had a single problem asking a coach to request a TO at the appropriate time. I do not get in their face or argue with them. I just ask them to make the request after the basket or tell them when to make the request. It is really not that big of a deal. If they get upset about this they will get upset when you ask them to get in the coaching box or when you ask them to get a sub when the rules require such a substitute.

Peace

We're <B>already</B> annoying irritants - we know the rules and they don't. And to top it all off, we don't care who wins. How annoying is that?

Again, 99% of the time, it probably won't get you in trouble. But, it's the 1% that will get you in trouble. I don't think it's "micro-dotting" at all. How would you respond to a coach who tells you at the pre-game that he wants you to call a TO every time the other team goes on a run of 10 straight points? You going to allow that as well? Where do you draw the line as to how far ahead a coach can ask for the TO? Of course I want to know in advance if a coach is going to want a TO, so I can keep an eye on him/her and grant it as soon as possible. That certainly is good game management and common sense. I have never had a coach tell me it's an irritant to nod again for verification when I look at them right after the FT. I think most coaches understand when they can request a TO; those that don't, well, IDGA*!

I've never ever had a coach show even the slightest bit of irritation with me when I've said, "OK coach, I'll be looking at you to call it after this free throw." Not even once. I think most coaches know that it's pretty basic for us to give a T.O. when it's requested and not take reservations for a time-out like we're a restaurant hostess.

If that gets an official "in trouble with a coach," that's a coach issue not an officials issue. I'd love to see a coach send a letter in to an assignor saying, "he made me wait and request the time-out when I actually wanted it." LOL, bring it on. :D

Z

Naw, now you're just using the old tactic that some posters sometimes use here of saying common sense/proper game management principles go hand-in-hand with <b>their</b> opinion <b>only</b>, and anyone that disagrees with them is one of those bad ol' rulebook officials. I kinda expected a little bit more from you, Brad. That kinda argument just don't fly imo; it goes hand-in-hand with something like "you'll never get to a higher level unless you do things the same way I do".


Proper TO management should be included in everybody's pre-game imo. It's also not a bad idea to tell the coaches <b>your</b> expectations during the pre-game period also. Tell 'em that one of you will try to check the bench late-game after made baskets, FT's, etc. for a TO request, but the coach has to be ready with an immediate TO signal, preferably both oral <b>and</b> visual.The officials should be prepared for TO requests in these end-of-game situations, and they should know which official should be taking a quick look at the bench for a request. My feeling is......don't let a coach put you into a situation where he can blame <b>you</b> for <b>not</b> doing <b>his</b> job.

Let the crew follow written procedures, let the coach do his job properly, and then nobody should have any valid b!tches.

Btw, the coach sez gimme a TO if the FT is made. What do you do if there's a violation or a foul during the FT? Still give him the TO? Run over and ask him what he'd like to do now?

NOTE: Please note that the preceding is <b>my</b> opinion only. :)

Well, I'm going with what is easier for <b>me</b>. In a noisy gym in one of those end-of-game situations, I don't think that it's unreasonable at all to expect that a coach should be able to give you the proper visual signal. That's just part of his job imo. If he can nod, he can also make a "T" with his hands.