Coach wants a timeout...

[LarryS]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

What part of the following can't you understand?

NFHS Rule 4-8-3:
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:
a) The ball is in control of or at the disposal of of a player or his team.
b) The ball is dead, unless replacement of a disqualified, or injured player(s), or a player directed to leave the game is pending, and a substitute(s) is available or required.

It's not "common sense". The rule lays out exactly when you can grant a TO request, and "sometime in the future" isn't part of what's laid out in that rule. The problem isn't with the way the rule is written. The problem is with people not understanding what the rule is saying.

OK...I KNOW it is best if the request and granting of said request happen at about the same time. HOWEVER, Jurassic please highlight the portion of the rule you posted that states the REQUEST can only be made during one of those two cases...rule states it can only be GRANTED during those time.