Brain cramp

[VALJ]

Gentlemen, I can't put my hands on a rulebook (or my browser on a PDF) at the moment...

The weather here in central VA is going to be excessively hot and humid over the next few days, and I'm planning on giving a couple of officials timeouts for water when we have an opportunity for a change of possession, and such.  I seem to recall that during these timeouts conferences are authorized, but just can't be sure.  Am I correct, or am I making things up?

Thanks!

[sir55]

It is ok to have an authorized conference during a heat time out. We do them 6 minutes of each quarter.

[VALJ]

That's what I thought, but I just had that little nagging bit of doubt for some reason.  Thanks!

[InsideTheStripes]

3-5-8-a-2 

An authorized conference may be held during an official’s time-out (3-5-7g, 3-5-7k and 3-5-7l).

3-5-7g

Timeouts due to "unusual heat or humidity which may create a health risk to the players".

[cbrunnjo]

I hear officials say they don't want to kill a drive with an officials TO for water.
I don't care about killing a drive because I would rather kill a drive instead of killing a kid for a heat relates injury.

After a game in my area the ambulance came to pick up two kids that had heat related injuries because the crew didn't give a water TO because they didn't want to kill a drive.

[Atlanta Blue]

I hear officials say they don't want to kill a drive with an officials TO for water.
I don't care about killing a drive because I would rather kill a drive instead of killing a kid for a heat relates injury.

After a game in my area the ambulance came to pick up two kids that had heat related injuries because the crew didn't give a water TO because they didn't want to kill a drive.

If the kids are that dehydrated, a) they haven't hydrated well all week, and b) the coach can always call time out for water.  I agree that absent any EXTREMELY dangerous situation, wait for a change of possesion.

Officials here are instructed to use a change of possession or other "natural break" for a hydration time out.

[Ralph Damren]

We suggest that the coach comes out along with the water bucket and laddle during a H & H official's TO. He will have a better understanding if that glazed look in big ole' Bubba's eyes is normal.

[ECILLJ]

The Illinois High School Association has posted the following instructions for IHSA officials.

===As we move into week 2, keeping players hydrated must be on the top of our list of items to address. Continue to administer officials time-outs and extend team time-outs or quarter breaks to make sure players are staying hydrated.===

[maven]

In week 1, we called a water TO after the visitors had run a dive play for 1 yard. Coach complained that we had broken his momentum.

Next play after the TO, they threw a 30-yard TD pass.

[fudilligas]

I try to give the TO with 630 to 530 remaining on the clock when  the LTG is reached or after a punt.   The clock is stopped in these situations so it is the best time to interrupt the game.

[HLinNC]

when  the LTG is reached

Isn't that the drive we shouldn't interrupt?

[sir55]

We usually tell the coaches we will not do the heat time out if they are inside the opponents 20, otherwise we give it as close to 6 minutes as we can. We don't get any complaints.

[bama_stripes]

In Alabama, first dead ball after 6:00, plus 2 min between qtrs.  Fair for one, fair for all.

[HLinNC]

In Alabama, first dead ball after 6:00, plus 2 min between qtrs.  Fair for one, fair for all.

I like that.

[prab]

Alabama seems to have found a pretty good way to handle this.