That oh...crap...feeling

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

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 at the disposal or in control of a player of his/her team.

Originally Posted by bainsey

I get the impression that turning to verify the source of a time out request is a relatively new thing. Were you ever taught to whistle a time out request ASAP, to make sure the whistle sounds before the ball becomes loose?

Here's what we've been taught. This only works for my little corner of Connecticut.

If a player is holding, or dribbling, the ball, and his coach requests a timeout, while in your visible field, or when you're are 100% sure that his coach is the one who is calling, "Timeout", then immediately grant the request for the timeout.

If the coach is not in your visible field, or you are not 100% sure that his coach is the one who is calling, "Timeout", then don't grant the request. Verify who is requesting the timeout, and then once verified, turn back to the coach's player, and if he's not holding, or dribbling, the ball, do not grant the request. If he still is holding, or dribbling, the ball, then go ahead and grant the request.

My interpreter doesn't want us granting timeouts while a defender, after stealing the ball, is driving for an uncontested layup.

Again, this is strictly a local interpretation, based on the wording of the rule, as written.