Putting Time on the Clock for Requested Time Out

[CMHCoachNRef]

5.0 Seconds remain in the game.

Score is Team A 60 Team B 59.

A1 misses a free throw which is rebounded by B5. B5 quickly outlets a pass to B1. As the Center opposite the benches, you think you hear a timeout request from Team B bench area (you note the clock at 4.0 seconds). Just to be sure, you hold your whistle and to confirm that it was, indeed the HC for Team B requesting the timeout. Once confirmed, as the Center you sound your whistle (at the 1.9 second mark). The timer stops the clock at the 1.7 second mark.

Based on the above information, I believe that I can have the clock set to 4.0 seconds since that is when I originally heard the request (with definite knowledge). A counter to my position says that only 1.9 seconds can be put back onto the clock since that was the time when the whistle sounded/hand went up to stop the clock. This position stated that only timing ERRORS can be corrected. Since the whistle did not actually sound until the 1.9 second mark, the additional 1.1 seconds was not actually a timing ERROR, but rather a delay on the part of the official.

In this case, in this situation, I want to make ABSOLUTE CERTAIN that I am only granting the timeout to the HEAD COACH. I believe that a slow whistle here could save major problems. BUT, I was unable to find a specific case describing the first situation (delay in calling the timeout to be sure it was being legally called).

Now, I think that I could easily argue that it took 1.1 seconds of delay from the time my hand initially starting being raised until the time the whistle sounded, but is there any Case support for going to 4.0 seconds as opposed to 1.9 seconds?

Of course, I am going to put the ball in play where it was at the 4.0 seconds mark.