Time Out before the Field Goal

[APG]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

They do it in basketball before a free throw. I don't know in that case whether there's a point beyond which the time out call is not recognized.

This is something you won't see that often at the NBA level where one would rather save a timeout to advance the ball to the 28 foot mark. I can't even say Ive seen this used that often at the college/high school level.

[Reffing Rev.]

I'm all for closing the door on sideline timeouts once the center has hands on the football. (aka the snap is imminent.)

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by Reffing Rev.

I'm all for closing the door on sideline timeouts once the center has hands on the football. (aka the snap is imminent.)

Even when the play clock is reading 0:03 seconds and the offense knows they're not going to get the play off in time?

Even when the defense realizes they only have 10 players on the field?

Even when the has their punt return team on the field and sees that the offense is going to go for it on 4th and 1?

[Robert Goodman]

In my rules neither team would be allowed to call time out once the snapper had a hand on the ball or it was picked up for a free kick. It kills part of the element of surprise when a team is just allowed to call time out when they see something unexpected.