Designated TO area?

[Adam]

Nothing. I'll give them their privacy during a TO, but not here. I'd rather they not huddle anyway, and addressing this will only delay the game. If they want privacy, they can request a TO.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

So, when Team A is ready to go after 10 seconds of a 60 second timeout, you're going to force them to remain in the TO area? How early is too early?

I'll agree they can't be in the other team's huddle, but that can easily be enforced without forcing them into their defined TO area.

Are we talking the actual rule or the practical application of the rule?

By rule, they must be in their timeout area.

In practice, I'm not going to say anything about it as long as they're not closer to the other team's huddle than they should be and aren't otherwise doing something they shouldn't.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

Rules citation?

2008-09 NFHS Exam, Part 1, Question 75 (assuming my source is accurate)...

Players may sit or stand during a 60-second time-out, but must remain in their bench area.

The provided answer is "True".

[Adam]

So, by rule, at what point are they allowed to return to the playing court outside of their respective TO areas? I'm sorry, but it seems to me that rule is meant for a coach's decision to conduct his timeout some place outside the TO area. If he's not conducting it, I've got nothing by rule or by application.

If a team spends 10 seconds in their TO, are they allowed (by rule) to set up their offense regardless of where the throw-in will be held? 20 seconds? 30 seconds? After the warning horn?

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

So, by rule, at what point are they allowed to return to the playing court outside of their respective TO areas? I'm sorry, but it seems to me that rule is meant for a coach's decision to conduct his timeout some place outside the TO area. If he's not conducting it, I've got nothing by rule or by application.

If a team spends 10 seconds in their TO, are they allowed (by rule) to set up their offense regardless of where the throw-in will be held? 20 seconds? 30 seconds? After the warning horn?

The warning horn. That is the signal to return to be ready to play. Before that, they can linger around their own bench/timeout area but not beyond.

In practice, as long as they're not infringing on the other team's timeout area, I'm not going to address it if they come out early.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

The warning horn. That is the signal to return to be ready to play. Before that, they can linger around their own bench/timeout area but not beyond.

In practice, as long as they're not infringing on the other team's timeout area, I'm not going to address it if they come out early.

Well, at least we agree in practice.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

There's no rule that I know of that says the players must go to their bench area during a TO. I wouldn't let them stand by the other team's huddle though; that's just asking for trouble. There's no specific rule on that either afaik but I'd call that an unsporting act. Warn 'em first. Iirc we had a long thread on that years ago.

Which also brings up the question....

Just before a FT, both the offense and defense usually have a quick strategy huddle. What do you do, if anything, if an opponent decides that he/she would like to join the opposing team's huddle?

Nothing but make my presence felt. Had it this past weekend in JuCo game. Coach was worried opposing player would instigate something. I told HC that's why I was standing right next to the huddle.