Time-out (sport)

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In sports, a time-out or timeout is a halt in the play. This allows the coaches of
either team to communicate with the team, e.g., to determine strategy or inspire
morale, as well as to stop the game clock. Time-outs are usually called by coaches
or players, although for some sports, TV timeouts are called to allow media to air
commercial breaks. Teams usually call timeouts at strategically important points in
the match, or to avoid the team being called for a delay of game-type violation,
such as the five-second rule in basketball.

Contents
1 List of time-out rules by sport
1.1 Baseball
1.2 Basketball
1.3 Beach volleyball
1.4 Cricket
1.5 Floorball
1.6 Gridiron football
1.7 Ice hockey
1.8 Team handball
1.9 Volleyball
1.10 Water polo
2 Criticism
3 See also
4 References
List of time-out rules by sport
Baseball
Baseball players and managers of both the offense and defense can request time out
for a number of purposes, such as for a batter to step out of the batter's box to
better prepare for a pitch, a foreign object entering a batter�s eye such as dust
or a bug, for a manager to speak with a player or umpire, or to replace one player
with another (for which a time-out is required by the rules), etc. The requested
time out is not effective unless an umpire grants it verbally or by hand signal
(both hands raised). The umpire also has the ability to call time out for his/her
own purposes, or for purposes of the game, such as replacing a worn ball. Since
there is no clock in baseball, the main effect of a time out is to temporarily
prevent the defensive team from tagging base runners out or delivering a pitch as
well as to prevent base runners from advancing. However, the catcher may also
request timeout once the pitcher has stepped on the rubber; usually with the
intention of either "resetting" the play, or to deliver some information to the
pitcher via either signals or a visit to the mound. Under certain (uncommon)
circumstances specified by the rules, umpires are required to call time out, even
while a play is in progress, such as certain cases of interference. Unlike many
other sports, the rules of baseball do not limit time outs, either by number or
duration. The end of the time out is indicated by an umpire verbally declaring
"Play!" and/or by pointing at the pitcher while he is holding the ball (these
umpire signals are identical to those used to start a game or resume play after the
ball has become "dead," for example due to a half-inning ending). Since baseball
provides natural breaks in the action when teams exchange offensive and defensive
roles between half-innings (two minutes, five seconds normally; two minutes and
twenty-five seconds for nationally televised games[1]), TV timeouts are not
necessary.

Other than coaching visits, which the umpires ensure stay brief, timeouts
theoretically have no time limits. However, when no runners occupy a base, a
pitcher must deliver the pitch within twelve seconds of receiving the ball from the
catcher or else a "delay of game" is called, resulting in a ball.[2] Also, any
relief pitcher is limited to eight warm-up throws before play resumes, except in
special circumstances (such as a pitcher substitution due to injury).

Though not officially recognized as a "timeout," a stoppage in play can also be

requested by the defense. This can be accomplished in several ways. First, once in
his "set" position, the pitcher may stop play by stepping off the rubber prior to
his windup. Secondly, the catcher may visit the pitcher at any point before he
steps on the rubber. Finally, the manager or pitching coach may also visit the
pitcher before he steps on the rubber (called a "coaching visit"). Under MLB rules,
a team is limited to one visit per inning and a maximum of three per game. Under
NFHS (high school) rules, a team receives three mound visits for the game and can
use more than one an inning. If a team exceeds the limit in either MLB or high
school ball, the pitcher must be removed immediately.

Basketball
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events or newly available information. (January 2019)
NCAA
In the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), there are two systems of
timeouts used. In games that are not broadcast, each team is allowed four 75-second
and two 30-second timeouts per regulation game. In games which are being broadcast,
as of the 2015-16 season, each team is granted one 60-second timeout and three 30-
second timeouts per game in addition to the media timeouts (at the first dead ball
under 16, 12, 8 and 4 minutes remaining in each half). A maximum of two 30-second
timeouts may carry over into the second half. Any called timeout that occurs within
the 30 seconds prior to a scheduled media timeout break automatically takes the
place of the upcoming media timeout, with the only exception to this rule being the
first called timeout of the second half. A timeout cannot be called by a coach when
the ball is live. Previously, under NCAA rules in prior seasons, teams had a total
of five timeouts, and timeouts superseding media timeouts were only used in the
women's rules.[3]

High school basketball allots five timeouts per game, with three 60-second and two
30-second timeouts. In overtime games, each team is given one additional 60-second
timeout, and is allowed to carry over any unused timeouts from regulation or � if
the case may be � previous overtimes. Media timeouts are typically reserved for
televised state tournament games only.

NBA