North Texas Basketball Officials Association (NTBOA)

Time-outs are one area of the game we have to be sure and enforce properly. It may seem like a simple aspect of the game, but too often we do not enforce scenarios that arise from time-outs properly. Rule 5.8.3 states:

Grants a player's/head coach's oral or visual request for a time-out, such request being granted only when: a. The ball is at the disposal or in control of a player of his/her team. b. The ball is dead, unless replacement of a disqualified, or injured player(s), or a player directed to leave the game is pending, and a substitute(s) is available and required.

Please review the case plays below so you are prepared to handle different scenarios regarding time-outs.

A1 is dribbling the ball in his/her backcourt when the Team B head coach requests and is erroneously granted a time-out by an official. True or False: You should call a technical foul on Coach B for delay of game for calling a time-out when their team did not have control of the ball? The answer is false. Team B is entitled to use the time-out since it was requested and granted; once granted it cannot be revoked and is charged to Team B. All privileges and rights permitted during a charged time-out are available to both teams. Play will resume with a Team A throw-in nearest to where play was stopped.

A1 is dribbling the ball in his/her backcourt when Team A head coach is yelling "side out" offensive instructions to his/her team and the official stops play believing the coach requested a time-out. RULING: An inadvertent whistle has occurred. Team A was not requesting a time-out, and therefore, should not be granted or charged with one. Play is resumed at the point of interruption. (4-36-1; 4-36-2a)

A1's dribble is "interrupted" when the ball deflects off his/her shoe. A1 or a teammate asks or signals for a time-out as the ball bounces toward: (a) the sideline; or (b) the division line. RULING: The request cannot be granted in (a) or (b), since A1's dribble has been "interrupted" and the ball is loose. (4-15-6c)

A1 or A2 requests a time-out: (a) while airborne A1 is holding the ball; (b) while A1's throw-in is in flight toward A2; or (c) when the ball is on the floor at A1's disposal for a throw-in. RULING: The request is granted in (a) and (c), but denied in (b), as there is no player control while the ball is loose between players.

A1 fouls B1. The official who made the call moves toward the reporting area. A2 immediately signals the free official for a time-out. Momentarily thereafter, the scorer notifies the calling official that A1 has fouled out. RULING: A1 must be replaced before the time-out is granted. The first responsibility the calling official has is to report the foul to the scorer.

Team A requests and is granted a 60-second time-out. After approximately 15 seconds of the time-out period has elapsed: (a) Team A comes back on the court ready to play while Team B players stay at their bench; (b) Team B is ready but Team A is not; or (c) both teams take positions and appear ready to resume play. RULING: In (a) and (b), the time-out period will continue as only one team is ready to play. In (c), the game will resume as soon as both teams are ready to play.

Click here for Rule Book Reference 5.8.3