Timeout administration

[grizrule]

As a half is ending, or game is ending, does the execution of a snap supercede a timeout whistle, blown very slightly after the snap? Should/can the result of the play count? Do officials have to grant the timeout request this late? Can officials deny the timeout request, if not given time to properly communicate the timeout before the snap?  To me, if the timeout is requested so late that the whistle is after the snap, the result of play should stand.  How far out of the coaches box is acceptable for a coach to be in an effort to get a timeout? I've seen coaches well out of the box,almost to the goal line as the teams were lining up for the play.  Should officials penalize a coach for going well out of the box? 

As a fan, I find it wrong and ridiculous of teams waiting far too long to request a timeout to ice a kicker, or to see what a called play is, before requesting the timeout. It results in a late whistle, occuring just after an executed snap.  Is all this a discretionary decision by officials, in which the result can justifiably go eithier way?  Is the rule book very vague on this? I can't even find anything close to a definite answer to this.  I am guessing, all of it depends on how officials interpret the rule book.  Help please, as detailed as possible explanation is needed.

Thank you

[Rob S]

By rule, we have to grant a TO if it's requested while the ball is dead (before the snap). The timing of the whistle has no effect on if they get it or not. Officially the rule says "...an official shall allow a charged team timeout when requested by any player or head coach when the ball is dead"

If we're down near the goal line, we instruct the coach that they may run down the sideline to get our attention to request the TO (we're not looking back to the box).

[ElvisLives]

Is the rule book very vague on this? I can't even find anything close to a definite answer to this.  I am guessing, all of it depends on how officials interpret the rule book.  Help please, as detailed as possible explanation is needed.

Thank you

Check Rule 3-4-3 (all parts).  As Rob S said, if the ball is dead - and it is dead until it begins to move for a snap - a Head Coach or any of the 11 players on the field may request a timeout, and it SHALL be granted, if the ball is dead.  An official may see the gesture or hear the verbal request a fraction of a second before the ball begins to move for the snap.  At that instant, that official declares the ball dead in his mind, and checks the game clock for remaining time.  It may take another half second to begin sounding his whistle, and begin signaling time out, while charging in toward the referee, to report the granted timeout and his positive knowledge of the time remaining.  The clock will then be re-set as needed.
This isn’t interpreted.  It is by rule.  And the HC (only) may leave the team area for the exclusive and express purpose of requesting a timeout.  So, yes, he may leave the team area, run down toward an official to get his attention and request a TO.

Hope this helps.

Robert

[grizrule]

Thank you for the responses.  I sure hope the rule is changed to better help officials.  It would be better if a timeout had to be called before the center touches the ball.   I get the running down the sideline to signal the time out, as long as the coach stays off the field of play.  They shouldn't be allowed to be in the field of the play near the goal line as players are heading to the LOS. 

[ElvisLives]

Thank you for the responses.  I sure hope the rule is changed to better help officials.  It would be better if a timeout had to be called before the center touches the ball.   I get the running down the sideline to signal the time out, as long as the coach stays off the field of play.  They shouldn't be allowed to be in the field of the play near the goal line as players are heading to the LOS.

Actually, they may be on the field of play.  3-3-4-d is an exception to the prohibition of being outside the team area or on the field of play.  But, that is for the exclusive and express purpose of requesting a timeout.

On this subject, I don’t believe we need any help.  We’ve been around the block a few times, and know when to expect that a team/coach may want a timeout.

Prohibiting a timeout after the snapper has touched the ball isn’t gonna happen.  You want to prohibit Team A from requesting a timeout at, say, 35 seconds on the play clock?  Or Team B at 15 seconds, when they recognize they only have 10 players on the field?

This is not something broken.  This is just folks needing education on the rules, and officiating mechanics, which is what you are soliciting here.  We are glad to help.

Robert