Unanswered Timeout question

[Nevadaref]

The intent of the rule is to only grant and charge time-outs which are actually requested.
Look at what 5-8-3 says. "Time-out occurs and the clock, if running, shall be stopped when an official grants a player's/head coach's oral or visual request for a time-out, such request being granted only when..."

If there is no request then the there is no reason for the whistle, so it becomes an accidental whistle. The ball is put back in play at the POI.

If the team really did request a time-out, but it was at a time when by rule they could not have one, the official should have ignored the request. However, if the time-out was mistakenly granted despite the improper timing of the request then the case book instructs the official to charge it and allow the team(s) to use it.

[SamIAm]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

The intent of the rule is to only grant and charge time-outs which are actually requested.
Look at what 5-8-3 says. "Time-out occurs and the clock, if running, shall be stopped when an official grants a player's/head coach's oral or visual request for a time-out, such request being granted only when..."

If there is no request then the there is no reason for the whistle, so it becomes an accidental whistle. The ball is put back in play at the POI.

If the team really did request a time-out, but it was at a time when by rule they could not have one, the official should have ignored the request. However, if the time-out was mistakenly granted despite the improper timing of the request then the case book instructs the official to charge it and allow the team(s) to use it.

Thanks, Nevada. As I understand it, the idea of granting and charging a timeout that one realizes was not requested is wrong and should be an inadvertant whistle. I understand the concept of granting a requested timeout in error, most likely when the other team is in possession of the ball. (Once you whistle it up, you must grant it and charge it.)

edit for typing

[JoeTheRef]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

The intent of the rule is to only grant and charge time-outs which are actually requested.
Look at what 5-8-3 says. "Time-out occurs and the clock, if running, shall be stopped when an official grants a player's/head coach's oral or visual request for a time-out, such request being granted only when..."

If there is no request then the there is no reason for the whistle, so it becomes an accidental whistle. The ball is put back in play at the POI.

If the team really did request a time-out, but it was at a time when by rule they could not have one, the official should have ignored the request. However, if the time-out was mistakenly granted despite the improper timing of the request then the case book instructs the official to charge it and allow the team(s) to use it.

I totally concur and that's exactly how I read and understand that case play. To further add, if the coach states I didn't call a timeout or didn't want one, if you hit the whistle immediately and get ready to put the ball in play, there's no advantage or disadvantage gained. I would think common sense would prevail in this situation, especially when it is our responsibility to visually verify that the coach wants a timeout.

[DC_Ref12]

Originally Posted by JoeTheRef

I totally concur and that's exactly how I read and understand that case play. To further add, if the coach states I didn't call a timeout or didn't want one, if you hit the whistle immediately and get ready to put the ball in play, there's no advantage or disadvantage gained. I would think common sense would prevail in this situation, especially when it is our responsibility to visually verify that the coach wants a timeout.

What's to stop a coach, though, from yelling for a timeout and if you don't look, denying that he called it in order to stop the clock?

[JoeTheRef]

Originally Posted by DC_Ref12

What's to stop a coach, though, from yelling for a timeout and if you don't look, denying that he called it in order to stop the clock?

HUH?? I don't understand your question. I can clarify MY mechanic and that is a coach is yelling for a timeout, I look and verify he wants one and is authorized to have one, hit the whistle and call the timeout. If the words "time out" comes out of that coaches mouth and I see and hear it. He gets the timeout and he can deny that he called the timeout for the next 30 or 60 seconds.

[DC_Ref12]

Originally Posted by JoeTheRef

HUH?? I don't understand your question. I can clarify MY mechanic and that is a coach is yelling for a timeout, I look and verify he wants one and is authorized to have one, hit the whistle and call the timeout. If the words "time out" comes out of that coaches mouth and I see and hear it. He gets the timeout and he can deny that he called the timeout for the next 30 or 60 seconds.

I'm saying that I disagree with JoetheRef that no advantage has been gained, even if you hurry with the inadvertent whistle and get the ball in play as fast as possible.

Coaches will use every little bit of the rules to gain an advantage. If a coach knows that this is how you enforce the rule and knows that you are not looking at him, he yells for timeout, and he gets lucky and you call the timeout without looking, he has stopped the clock. Then, he can deny that he ever called the timeout (because you didn't look at him to verify) and he has gained an advantage by stopping the clock.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by DC_Ref12

I'm saying that I disagree with JoetheRef that no advantage has been gained, even if you hurry with the inadvertent whistle and get the ball in play as fast as possible.

Coaches will use every little bit of the rules to gain an advantage. If a coach knows that this is how you enforce the rule and knows that you are not looking at him, he yells for timeout, and he gets lucky and you call the timeout without looking, he has stopped the clock. Then, he can deny that he ever called the timeout (because you didn't look at him to verify) and he has gained an advantage by stopping the clock.

DC, how many times have you seen this happen? You've ref'd games, you've attended games, you've probably played in a few. Have you ever seen it happen?

I doubt we are suddenly going to have an epidemic of coaches using this ploy. Don't you think it already would have been tried?

[DC_Ref12]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

DC, how many times have you seen this happen? You've ref'd games, you've attended games, you've probably played in a few. Have you ever seen it happen?

I doubt we are suddenly going to have an epidemic of coaches using this ploy. Don't you think it already would have been tried?

You're right, I don't think it's an epidemic, but then again, I doubt many coaches know about this rule and how each ref would apply it. Maybe I'm wrong about that, though?

I've seen it happen a couple times but, yeah, I don't think it's an epidemic.