Run Clock Run

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally posted by Nevadaref

MTD
Are you sure you want to stand by this? 5-8-3A tells us that a time-out request shall only be granted when the ball is in control or at the disposal of a player of the team.
You write that at the time that Coach B requested a time-out, B1 had player control. That is not the same as B1 having player control at the time when the time-out was granted. I think that according to the rule it really does matter what happens during the time between the request and when the official responds to the request.
I understand that many officials have the same philosophy as you do on this. ie. If the official is late responding that is not the team's fault and the TO should be granted.
May I just point out, that is not what the rule says!

To quote NFHS R5-S8-A3a: Time-out occurs and the clock, if running, shall be stopped when an official: Grants a player's/head coach's oral or visual request for a time-out, such request being granted only when: The ball is in control or at the diposal of a player of his/her team. NCAA R5-S9-A3a and A4 address the same situations as NFHS R5-S8-A3a does.

This rule has always been interpreted to mean that the request must be made during player control or is at the team's disposal for a throw-in or a freethrow, not when the official signals for the time-out. To interpret the rule as you do would penalize the team requesting the time-out.

I am sure that must about all rules interpreters will agree with me that both the NFHS and NCAA language is not the clearest, but the intent is the same: grant the request if the request was made when there is player control or the ball is at the disposal of the thrower (throw-in or freethrow).