Timeout Question

[whitcd]

I have a question regarding calling a timeout when not in the attack box. Player A1 receives a clearing pass from defensivemen A2 and immediately calls timeout but is outside of the box. It was called a 30-second technical, but I thought it was just a change of possession.

[LaxRef]

I have a question regarding calling a timeout when not in the attack box. The officials looked around each other for about ten seconds and called it a 30-second technical, but I thought it was just a change of possession.

It's the same as any other technical: it's possession if you have the ball or if the ball is loose (it would be a play-on if the ball was loose) and 30 seconds if the other team has the ball. This would apply to any situation in which you cannot legally call a timeout:

1) Live ball--when your team doesn't have possession in the box
2) Dead ball--you're out of timeouts for the half or period.
3) Dead ball--calling consecutive timeouts
4) Anytime--timeout called by someone other than a player on the field or the head coach.

So, you don't give enough information to say whether it should have been time-serving, but my guess is that it should not have been.

[laxfan25]

He does say that A has possession after catching the clearing pass and then called timeout - so it appears to be an incorrect call - should just have been a turnover to B.

[LaxRef]

He does say that A has possession after catching the clearing pass and then called timeout - so it appears to be an incorrect call - should just have been a turnover to B.

He edited his post after I responded, as you can see by looking at the quoted portion in my post.

[Zeuslax]

What if he said.......................as soon as we get possesion ref, we'll take a time out?

[laxfan25]

What if he said.......................as soon as we get possesion ref, we'll take a time out?

You can tell him, "That's fine, when you get possession and get the ball in the attack box make sure you call for the timeout." It's not the ref's responsibility to keep track of who wants a timeout when - after all, they may change their mind based on the play of the game. For instance, the middie catches the clearing pass and has a clear path to the goal - as soon as he steps on the line we blow the whistle for his pre-ordained timeout - I'm sure the team would be pleased!

[FlyingDutchmen]

Here is another question.

Team A is clearing the ball- a nice and settled clear, Team A coach calls for a timeout. Player on team A dops the ball before the box team B picks it up and a nice little cluster occurs but Team A comes out with the ball and tosses it down to the attack inside the box. The ref then ask coach from Team A "you still want that timeout?" he states no and play on the field continues as Team's A offfense was looking good.

Should the whistle been blown right away when the ball got in, what are the rules on that or was the ref just being a nice guy.

[LaxRef]

Here is another question.

Team A is clearing the ball- a nice and settled clear, Team A coach calls for a timeout. Player on team A dops the ball before the box team B picks it up and a nice little cluster occurs but Team A comes out with the ball and tosses it down to the attack inside the box. The ref then ask coach from Team A "you still want that timeout?" he states no and play on the field continues as Team's A offfense was looking good.

Should the whistle been blown right away when the ball got in, what are the rules on that or was the ref just being a nice guy.

It should have been illegal procedure on coach A for calling a timeout when he didn't have the ball in the box. Turn the ball over to team B. However, some officials won't "hear" the request if it is illegal. There is some debate among officials whether we should call the technical or ignore such a foul.

In any case, you cannot call a live-ball timeout legally into you have possession in the attack area.

[Sonny]

In any case, you cannot call a live-ball timeout legally into you have possession in the attack area.

I think you meant -- In any case, you cannot call a live-ball timeout legally UNLESS you have possession in the attack area or its a dead ball.

[cjwilhelmi]

Ok I have a question for some of you refs about the timeout.

Lets say Team A is moving the ball towards the attack box and is about five feet away. Coach from Team A says that as soon as they step inside they want a time out and is telling this to the trailing ref who is two feet away. Team A moves into the attack box and no timeout is given. The coach asks again for the time out and is yelling for one before it is finally given. Team A was up by 8 at the time with 5 minutes left in the fourth.

My question is this: Even though the ref acknowledged the coach asking for a timeout as soon as they got in the box does he have to grant it unless the coach starts yelling for it or what?

[Sonny]

Ok I have a question for some of you refs about the timeout.

Lets say Team A is moving the ball towards the attack box and is about five feet away. Coach from Team A says that as soon as they step inside they want a time out and is telling this to the trailing ref who is two feet away. Team A moves into the attack box and no timeout is given. The coach asks again for the time out and is yelling for one before it is finally given. Team A was up by 8 at the time with 5 minutes left in the fourth.

My question is this: Even though the ref acknowledged the coach asking for a timeout as soon as they got in the box does he have to grant it unless the coach starts yelling for it or what?

The timeout rules for NFHS (Federation/H.S.) and NCAA (college) are different. Under NFHS, you can call a TO whenever/whereever you have possession during liveball OR during a dead ball. Under current NCAA rules, the team in possession must have it in the offensive box to call a timeout OR it be a dead ball.

Corbin,

In your case above (assuming NCAA rules), I would tell the coach to ask for it when his player is in the box. (Officials don't take those types of requests because the coach may change his mind.) If he is screaming loudly that he wants a timeout, I would whistle the play dead and enforce illegal procedure call against his team for calling for a timeout when he wasn't entitled to it. The time remaining and score situations are irrelevant.

[laxfan25]

Ok I have a question for some of you refs about the timeout.

Lets say Team A is moving the ball towards the attack box and is about five feet away. Coach from Team A says that as soon as they step inside they want a time out and is telling this to the trailing ref who is two feet away. Team A moves into the attack box and no timeout is given. The coach asks again for the time out and is yelling for one before it is finally given. Team A was up by 8 at the time with 5 minutes left in the fourth.

My question is this: Even though the ref acknowledged the coach asking for a timeout as soon as they got in the box does he have to grant it unless the coach starts yelling for it or what?

IF the player is five feet away from the box (two steps) and I'm the trail, and the coach is alerting me that he wants a timeout when he gets in the box, I would call the timeout once he steps in. (Just being realistic).
If he's further away, I'd tell the coach to call for it again when he's in, since things may change.
Also, if the ball is in the box and I have heard the timeout call, I will give them the TO even if they drop the ball before I can get the whistle to my mouth - acknowledging that the request was made and heard with possession. I would also have to take a goal off the board in the same circumstances, if the guy happened to shoot and get lucky. The coach may not be pleased, but that's how I administer it.
I had had instances in games where the crowd and benches are loud, you're tuning out the noise and comments, and they may have to ask a couple times for the TO before I recognize it in the clutter of communication. We are human!

[Zeuslax]

Laxfan, I've seen you work a sideline. You're definitely not human![/quote]

[cjwilhelmi]

Thanks guys

[laxfan25]

Laxfan, I've seen you work a sideline. You're definitely not human!

[/quote]
So are you saying I'm inhuman, subhuman or superhuman?