Team Control timeout request

[BillyMac]

UConn-Syracuse ends on questionable call - College Basketball Nation Blog - ESPN

Controversial timeout helps Syracuse past UConn - Sports Pros(e)

After the UCONN-Suyracuse debacle, we received the following in an email from our interpreter. It's on the agenda to be discussed at our meeting coming up Wednesday night.

Coach Requesting Time-Out

By now, I assume many have heard about or viewed the time-out granted in the recent UConn-Syracuse game. The NFHS rule book (Rule 5-8-3) and IAABO mechanics 2-person manual (Page 79) do not provide a level of specificity to guide how we officiate this request. While I have reviewed in past years, I will definitely add to next year's Interpretation meeting for our members and coaches.

Here is how we should officiate this:

Upon recognizing a request for a time-out by the head coach, the official must then check to see if a time-out request can be granted (Rule 5-8-3) ball is dead; ball is live and in possession of a thrower-in; player control exists) prior to granting (blowing the whistle) the time-out.

Thus, there will be situations when an official hears a request for a time-out but cannot grant it. Yes, coaches will not like to hear this and will get ticked when you do not grant the time-out. While many officials do not agree that coaches should call time-outs, I recognize that this rule will not change at high school or college level.

[bob jenkins]

[QUOTE=BillyMac;703842Here is how we should officiate this:

1) The official must see the head coach to confirm he/she is requesting the time-out.

2) ... You may not need to turn and view the coach. [/QUOTE]

Makes perfect sense.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

Makes perfect sense.

What also makes sense is maybe doing a little research in old rule books.....like....oh....POE #3 out of the 2008-09 rule book.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

POE #3 out of the 2008-09 rule book.

TIME-OUTS. The proper granting of time-outs continues to be of great concern. During live-ball situations, it is imperative that officials ensure player control before granting a time-out. Additionally, officials must ensure that the time-out request is coming from a player or the head coach of the team in control. Coaches must realize that officials have other responsibilities to the game that require their immediate attention. As a result, coaches must understand that just because a time-out was requested does not mean that a time-out will be granted. During loose-ball situations, when there is doubt as to which player has obtained control, officials should not grant a time-out, but rather rule a held ball.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

TIME-OUTS. The proper granting of time-outs continues to be of great concern. During live-ball situations, it is imperative that officials ensure player control before granting a time-out. Additionally, officials must ensure that the time-out request is coming from a player or the head coach of the team in control. Coaches must realize that officials have other responsibilities to the game that require their immediate attention. As a result, coaches must understand that just because a time-out was requested does not mean that a time-out will be granted. During loose-ball situations, when there is doubt as to which player has obtained control, officials should not grant a time-out, but rather rule a held ball.

Cool!!!

Now cut'n'paste:
1) POE #4 from the 2003-04 rule book
2) POE # 2A from the 2004-05 rule book
and..
3)POE 3A from the 2006-07 rule book

Then put 'em all in a binder and give 'em to your interpreter.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

Then put 'em all in a binder and give 'em to your interpreter.

Hey? Our interpreter didn't officiate that UCONN-Syracuse game. He knows how we are supposed to do it, he just wants to make sure that all 300 of us are on the same page. Our newer members don't have access to earlier NFHS Points of Emphasis regarding timeouts.

Observe Player Control, Observe Request, Grant: Incorrect
Observe Player Control, Observe Request, Observe Player Control, Grant: Correct

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Hey? Our interpreter didn't officiate that UCONN-Syracuse game. He knows how we are supposed to do it, he just wants to make sure that all 300 of us are on the same page. Our newer members don't have access to earlier NFHS Points of Emphasis regarding timeouts.

Observe Player Control, Observe Request, Grant: Incorrect
Observe Player Control, Observe Request, Observe Player Control, Grant: Correct

Didn't say it was a bad idea, Billy. Au contraire, it's probably a good idea to go over the correct procedure every single year during pre-season training. We do that too.

Just wanted to emphasize that the FED certainly does try to give us proper direction on rules interpretations that they think are being misconstrued.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

POE # 2A from the 2004-05 rule book

Time-out administration.
A. Coaches calling. Coaches must understand that just because they've requested a timeout doesn't guarantee it will be granted. Remember, only the head coach may legally request a timeout from the bench. Officials must be sure that the head coach is making the request. That is best done by hearing the coach, then visually confirming the request by seeing the coach request the timeout. Too often officials use sound only, later to discover the time out request was from someone other than the head coach.
B. Player control. The committee is still concerned that officials are granting timeouts while the ball is loose and not in player control. Over the years, an officiating philosophy has developed that teaches officials to grant loose ball timeouts quickly to avoid rough play and stop additional players from diving onto the loose ball pile. While preventing rough play is desirable, that concept cannot supersede the basic rule that a player must be in control of the ball in order for a timeout to be legally granted. When in doubt, do not grant the timeout.