IW or not?
 

NFHS rules. I'm the assistant this game. We get an offensive rebound and I yell for them to "bring it out", to reset. Ref had his back to us, blew his whistle, and , seemed to know his mistake right away. Because he goes, "did you say 'timeout'"? Anyway, he grants us a timeout, and insists on us taking it. I try to argue for inadvertent whistle to no avail. I try to point out that I'm not even the head coach.

I know we talked about this recently, but I can't remember the situation where you have to make them take the timeout. I didn't think this was it.

This is not it. I would rule IW for your situation.

Definitely would be an IW for me. That doesn't even remotely sound like "timeout" except for the word "out". Sheesh. I do hate the "five out" play, though...

I would of ruled an IW. Doesn't even sound close to timeout like you usually hear with "five out"

+1...as per case book 5.8.3SitE(b). Exact play almost.

+2...Sorry coach, I misheard you...

-Josh

Wow, so much is wrong on this....

5.8.3 SITUATION E: A1 is dribbling the ball in his/her backcourt when: (a) the
Team B head coach requests and is erroneously granted a time-out by an official;
or (b) the Team A head coach is yelling “side out” offensive instructions to his/her
team and the official stops play believing the coach requested a time-out. RULING:
In (a), Team B is entitled to use the time-out since it was requested and
granted; once granted it cannot be revoked and is charged to Team B. All privileges
and rights permitted during a charged time-out are available to both teams.
Play will resume with a Team A throw-in nearest to where play was stopped. In
(b), an accidental whistle has occurred. Team A was not requesting a time-out,
and therefore, should not be granted or charged with one. Play is resumed at the
point of interruption. (4-36-1; 4-36-2a)

I heard that all night at a game I was watching tonight. No inadvertent whistles though.

I wonder if any coach has approached any of you before a game and given you a head's up?

Not even that. It was an assistant coach who was speaking. So even if the AC said the words "time-out" for whatever reason--as in "Hey Mark, we really need to call a TIME-OUT"--it would still be an IW.