RULE NO. 5—SCORING AND TIMING
Section VI—20-Second Timeout
A player’s request for a 20-second timeout shall be granted only when the ball is dead or in control of the team making the request. A request at any other time shall be ignored.
EXCEPTION: The head coach may request a 20-second timeout if there is a suspension of play to administer Comments on the Rules—P—Guidelines for Infection Control.
a. Each team is entitled to one (1) 20-second timeout per half for a total of two (2) per game, including overtimes.
b. During a 20-second timeout a team may only substitute for one player. If the team calling the 20-second timeout replaces a player, the opposing team may also replace one player.
c. Only one player per team may be replaced during a 20-second timeout. If two players on the same team are injured at the same time and must be replaced, the coach must call a regular (100-second) timeout.
d. If a second 20-second timeout is requested during a half (including overtimes), it shall be granted. It will automatically become a charged regular timeout. Overtimes are considered to be an extension of the second half.
e. The official shall instruct the timer to record the 20 seconds and to inform him when the time has expired. An additional regular timeout will be charged if play is unable to resume at the expiration of that 20-second time limit.
EXCEPTION: No regular timeout remaining.
f. This rule may be used for any reason, including a request for a rule interpretation. If the correction is sustained, no time-out shall be charged.
g. Players should say “20-second timeout” when requesting this time.
h. A team is not entitled to any options during the last two minutes of the game or the overtime when a 20-second timeout is called.
i. If a 20-second timeout has been granted and a mandatory timeout by the same team is due, only the mandatory timeout will be charged.
j. A 20-second timeout shall not be granted to the defensive team during an official’s suspension of play for (1) delay of game warning, (2) retrieving an errant ball, (3) any other unusual circumstance.
EXCEPTION: Suspension of play for a player bleeding Comments on the Rules—P.
