Injury Timeout

[Ed Hickland]

The time-out itself is an officials' time for care of the injured player.

All other players should be cleared from the area in order that medical personnel can work without being hindered. Consult NFHS 2002 & 2003 Officials Manual page 44 for proper procedure.

I personally treat the timeout as an officials' timeout meaning no coaching is allowed. NFHS has offered some guidance in this area with water break coverage.

If the injury is serious enough to require medical personnel beyond the trainer and/or one doctor I declare the field belongs to the officiating crew and send teams off to the sideline without regard for number of players, subs, etc.

If players are on the sideline, I wait until all medical equipment and personnel are clear of the field before bringing the teams back on. Realizing that there may be some concern by teammates and opponents alike, I try to be sensitive and not rush the start of play.