30-Second Time-Out

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I've finally come across some additonal written citations, besides the three pertinent rules that I've already posted from the 2006-07 Rule Book, to support whether of not bench personnel are allowed to stand during a thirty-second time-out, or if only the five players are allowed to stand up. Unfortunately, they are conflicting citations:

2004-05 Simplified and Illustrated Rules, page 41: Shows an illustration of a thirty-second time out with only the five players and head coach standing. Bench personnel are shown sitting on the bench in this illustration.

2001-02 Rule Book, Comments on the 2001-02 Rules Revisions, page 72: Requirement To Stand During A Thirty-Second Time-Out (5-12-5): "Additional discussion reflected concerns about whether or not substitutes should be permitted to join the conference with coach(es) and players. Because of instructions that may be given, the interpretation has been that team substitutes should be able to participate in the time-out meeting."

In my opinion, the Comments on the Rules Revisions in the Rule Book, "trumps" the Simplified and Illustrated Rules. Unless I hear otherwise from my board interpreter, I'm lettting the bench personnel stand during the thirty-second time-out.

It doesn't need to trump it. The S & I shows a situation, not the only legal situation. It makes no mention that those players that are sitting are required to do so...nor does the picture imply that they must.