End of game sitch

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

2006-07 NFHS Basketball Rules Interpretations SITUATION 9: With less than one minute to play in the fourth quarter, Team A scores a field goal to tie the game. B1, standing under the basket after the score, secures the ball and begins heading to the end line for the ensuing throw-in. A1 requests and is granted a time-out. RULING:Legal procedure. Team A may request and be granted a time-out until the ensuing throw-in begins. The throw-in does not begin until B1 has the ball at his/her disposal and the official has begun the five-second count.

Good citation. Thank God I didn't bet my house on this.

But I still have some questions about this. Isn't it true that either team can call a time out when the ball is dead? And, doesn't the ball become live when it is at the disposal of B1? And, further, don't we start our five second count, by rule, when the ball is at the disposal of A1? In an extreme example, let's say that B1 doesn't pick up the ball that just went through the basket, possibly delaying to set up a press break, and he's waiting for his guards to get into position. Can't we say that the ball is at B1's disposal at that time, and start the count as he stands there looking at the ball that's on the floor?

In other words, does the actual rule state that Team A may request and be granted a time-out until the ensuing throw-in begins, or, as I believe, that Team A may request and be granted a time-out during the dead ball period immediately after a goal?

And another question that this brings to mind: By rule, do we start our count when the ball is at the disposal of A1, as I believe, or do we start our count when A1 steps out of bounds?