TO Signal requirements

[Ref Daddy]

I struggle with whats a "requirement" to get a timeout properly signaled.

Is Verbal enough?

1) In a loud Gym "Tim" "Tom" "Terry" sound a lot like "time" to me. Lots of "t" words flying around. What ever happened to the required handsignal. Is it still mandatory? Can I ask for it in preGame?

2) In a scrum some players will start yelling "time" to avoid a JumpBall. My luck has it their face is usually buried in the floor covering a ball like a laying hen surrounded by players. Is that Good enough?

3) Coach's are playing that weak verbal "time" when they cannot make up their mind.

What a good ref do?