How not to miss a timeout request

[Adam]

Originally Posted by ToolinFool

I would like the table to be able to signal a time out request with a horn.

Horrible idea.

Too often the coach is screaming for a timeout during a loose ball.

Originally Posted by Adam

Lead needs to get this if the trail is table side.

In 2-man, I think the trail should always get this. If the trial is table-side he should be close enough to both benches to hear an audible request. When the trail is opposite the table, he should be able to see a visual request. Certainly, the visual signal is easier to recognize than an audible one, but some awareness of the game situation will put you in a position to expect an audible request.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by seanwestref

In 2-man, I think the trail should always get this. If the trial is table-side he should be close enough to both benches to hear an audible request. When the trail is opposite the table, he should be able to see a visual request. Certainly, the visual signal is easier to recognize than an audible one, but some awareness of the game situation will put you in a position to expect an audible request.

That is great in theory, but you may hear multiple people requesting a timeout and not one is the head coach. And the rule only requires the head coach to make that request. I have seen players or fans yelling while the head coach does nothing. Even in a 3-man it is often the opposite table officials that recognize the request. And mot of all not all coaches request in the same way to make themselves known. You can have all the game awareness in the world and not hear the coach. And not every coach has the same philosophy on calling timeouts either or wants them in the same situations.

Peace

[Tio]

You should be ready for a timeout at end of game situations. Although, if I read the sitch right, she was in the backcourt (after the made basket) with you... you couldn't see her. She should have made sure you saw the request. So IMO, you should be aware and ready to grant a timeout... anticipate that she may call one and check the bench, but you have to first and foremost referee the live ball action.

[fullor30]

My hearing is not that great, and especially if I have a girls varsity game, women's voices just aren't as strong. I liked the comment about being very visible with request rather than just a voice yelling for one. I've told coaches before to yell my name if they can't get me. I find that helps.

Goes without saying be aware when you sense a TO is coming.

+1 with Rich on crying in postgame beer lamenting I missed it.

[bainsey]

I have to wonder why the players simply don't mirror the coach's request.

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by bainsey

I have to wonder why the players simply don't mirror the coach's request.

Most players now apparently don't know that they can request a timeout. I often mention this in pregame to coaches and captains.

[APG]

Originally Posted by just another ref

Most players now apparently don't know that they can request a timeout. I often mention this in pregame to coaches and captains.

I've never met a player that didn't know they could request a timeout. The only time, in at least the games I work, where I see this in play is during a loose ball where a player will grab the ball and ask for a timeout to save possession.

I think you don't see players calling time because they view is as in the pervue of coach...and they also don't want to erroneously call a timeout if they themselves mistake the intentions of the coach. Also, in situations where it may be difficult for officials to grant a request, tend to be intense situations where a player will have his undivided attention on.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by APG

I've never met a player that didn't know they could request a timeout. The only time, in at least the games I work, where I see this in play is during a loose ball where a player will grab the ball and ask for a timeout to save possession.

I think you don't see players calling time because they view is as in the pervue of coach...and they also don't want to erroneously call a timeout if they themselves mistake the intentions of the coach. Also, in situations where it may be difficult for officials to grant a request, tend to be intense situations where a player will have his undivided attention on.

And that is the reason they should give the request. We can and have misunderstood their request and it has further consequences when we make that mistake. And just like anything else, a coach should coach up his players to make that request properly when told to. I think all JAR is saying is that kids often have a coach requesting a timeout and players ignore the coach but then we are expected to be paying attention to coaches more than the players do.

I just want to change the rule where we cannot give a timeout unless play is stopped or a dead ball.

Peace

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Lotto

Last night I was working HS girl's varsity, two-man crew. With about 10 seconds left in the game, the home team scores to pull within two point. After a timeout, I'm the new lead. The home team is pressing, and I'm standing near midcourt tableside. My partner is near the far sideline and off the endline as the new trail. The home team steals the throw-in and passes to a girl near midcourt and the far sideline -- in my primary now as the new trail, so my focus is on her and I'm moving out onto the court to referee the ball. She then makes a bad pass that sails out of bounds. All of this happens within a couple of seconds. At that point, the home team coach tells me that she's been trying to call a timeout. This was a big game, the crowd was loud, the gym is one that has a high ceiling and is echo-y, and the coach does not have a loud voice. I simply didn't hear her.

My question -- is there something that I/we could have done to catch that timeout? I don't think I can be peeking behind me to see if she's requesting a timeout since I have to keep my eyes on the girls on the court in a tight, pressing situation. Is this something my partner should have picked up? Or is this just yet another reason why three-man crews are vastly superior to two? How could we have handled this better, mechanics-wise or other-wise?

Thanks for the advice!

You have players to officiate. Coach should have told her players to call a time-out if they steal the ball. Or have the school district pay for a 3rd official

[Stat-Man]

Originally Posted by Lotto

Last night I was working HS girl's varsity, two-man crew. With about 10 seconds left in the game, the home team scores to pull within two point. After a timeout, I'm the new lead. The home team is pressing, and I'm standing near midcourt tableside. My partner is near the far sideline and off the endline as the new trail. The home team steals the throw-in and passes to a girl near midcourt and the far sideline -- in my primary now as the new trail, so my focus is on her and I'm moving out onto the court to referee the ball. She then makes a bad pass that sails out of bounds. All of this happens within a couple of seconds. At that point, the home team coach tells me that she's been trying to call a timeout. This was a big game, the crowd was loud, the gym is one that has a high ceiling and is echo-y, and the coach does not have a loud voice. I simply didn't hear her.

I had this happen to me tonight. Boys JV. I'm the T tableside and I'm administering the 10-second count. The only thing l I could hear was the visiting coach wanting the 10 second violation (I was only at 7 FWIW). At the next stoppage of play, Home Coach wanted to know why I didn't grant his timeout request.

My takeaway is that I should try to position myself so my peripheral vision is better for seeing a visual request.

[ref3808]

I've had the same thing happen to me recently. Girls HS game, female HC with a soft voice who was trying to get our attention (2-man in MA) because she wanted a TO.

I eventually heard her and granted the TO, but more time came off the clock then she would have liked.

This will happen as long as coaches insist on retaining rules that allow them to call time outs when the ball is live, especially in 2 person crews.

Time outs should be called by players when the ball is live.

[bob jenkins]

My story: First half,. End of the court away from the bench. Scramble for the ball. Eventually a held ball. As I run past the coach, she asks, "DIdn't you hear me asking for a TO?"

Second half. Same spot on the court. SImilar play. I'm listneing harder. I hear a faint "Time out" coming from the far bench area. 'TWEET". "I didn't ask for a TO." :face palm:

[Rich]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

My story: First half,. End of the court away from the bench. Scramble for the ball. Eventually a held ball. As I run past the coach, she asks, "DIdn't you hear me asking for a TO?"

Second half. Same spot on the court. SImilar play. I'm listneing harder. I hear a faint "Time out" coming from the far bench area. 'TWEET". "I didn't ask for a TO." :face palm:

Reminds me of the coach yelling "FIVE OUT" during some heated, contested play. Why would coaches name plays that sound like "TIME OUT"?

Another one happened last week -- as my partner was going by, a coach held up one single fist over his head. Apparently, to him this is a timeout request cause when my partner ran by, the coach got really animated because my partner missed "the fist."

[jTheUmp]

Originally Posted by Rich

Reminds me of the coach yelling "FIVE OUT" during some heated, contested play. Why would coaches name plays that sound like "TIME OUT"?

Game earlier this year: One team had a play called "Five out", the other team had a play called "Side out".

Or the coach last night who stood up with her fists spread wide apart (think: double foul signal)... which apparently meant she wanted a timeout.