Here’s the situation - :15 left in the game. Your team is down 1. The other team misses a shot and your player rebounds the ball.

What do you do?

Do you call a timeout? Or do you let your players play?

Either option can work. If it does, you look like a genius. If it doesn’t, be ready to be second guessed.

So, what’s the right call for your team?

Let’s hear the evidence for and against both options.

The Pros & Cons Of Late Game Timeouts

Many coaches like to save timeout for end of game situations. Dean Smith was famous for this. Many NBA fans lament how the last 2:00 of a game can take 20 minutes.

There are good reasons for this strategy. In crunch time, you want to be able to influence the game. Timeouts allow you to do that.

The Case For Calling Timeout:

• The chance to set up a play - this is at the top of many coaches list. They want their team to be organized.

By calling a timeout, you have a chance to show your team what you want them to do. You can make sure everyone is on the same page and ready to execute. This can give your team comfort and confidence.

If you call a timeout for this reason, you must consider whether to run a play you’ve practiced or whether to draw something up in the huddle. The benefit of drawing something up is that your opponent hasn’t seen it. The drawback is that your players haven’t seen it either!

I’ve seen both be successful. That said, I’d lean towards running something your players know. They will be more confident with it and there’s less chance of a mistake.

• The chance to calm your team - late game situations can be stressful. Calling a timeout gives your team a chance to refocus. This is often more valuable than any basketball advice you give them.
• The chance to sub - for various reasons, you might want to sub. If you call a timeout, you are able to do that. You can get the players on the floor who give you the best chance of scoring. 
• The chance to give reminders - calling a timeout allows you to tell your team what to do after you attempt to score.

If you score, what defense are you in?

If you don’t score, do your players know to foul?

By calling timeout, you can cover these what if’s and give your players clarity on what to do next.

The Case Against Calling Timeout:

• Your opponent gets a chance to sub - this one works for and against you. Yes, you can sub, but so can your opponent. They may have a defensive stopper they can put in the game. Calling timeout allows them to do so.
• They can set their defense - there’s a reason teams score at the most efficient rate in transition. The defense is often disorganized. Yes, calling timeout allows you to set your offense. But it also allows your opponent to set their defense.

Good half court defenses are hard to score against. You might be giving up more than you’re getting by calling timeout.

Also, they are more likely to make a mental mistake. In a timeout, their coach is likely to remind them of things like the foul situation. By attacking without a timeout, the defense may foul. Or, if you’re down 3, they might forget to take away the arc.

Not calling timeout increases the likelihood of a defensive mistake.

• Your opponent might change defenses in the timeout to something you aren’t prepared for.  You might spend the whole timeout going over a man play and they come out of the timeout in a zone. If you don’t call a timeout, they are much less likely to change on the fly.
• You have to inbound the ball - this is an often overlooked downside. If you don’t call timeout, the ball is already in play. By calling timeout, you have to inbound the ball.

If you’ve coached for any period of time, you know how dangerous this can be.  I’ve seen numerous end of game situations where there is a :05 second call at the end of a game..

Calling a timeout adds that risk.

• You show confidence in your team - teams expect their opponent to call a timeout. It’s what most teams do. By not calling timeout, you are showing your team you believe in them. That boost can help them keep their composure and play with poise.

Likewise, the defense probably expects you to call a timeout. In not doing so, they have to rely on themselves rather than getting the expected boost from their coach.

The Verdict

It seems we have a hung jury!

Both sides have strong arguments. Here are a couple things to keep in mind when formulating your philosophy:

• You know your team - no one knows your team better than you. Thus, your philosophy might vary year to year. Maybe one year you have a great point guard. With that group, you might be more likely to let them play.

With a different group, they might benefit from a timeout. Nothing is set in stone!

• You can do both - one idea is to first let your kids play. On the change of possession, encourage them to attack and seek a good shot.

If they can’t find a good shot or the attack stalls out, then call timeout. That idea blends the strengths of both strategies.

• You need to practice these situations - practice doing it both ways. Sometimes, let your team go. See how they do.

Other times, practice timeouts. Draw something up or review a play in the huddle and then see if they can execute.

Doing this a few times can give you insight into which strategy most benefits your group.

Whatever You Choose, Have A Plan

No matter what you choose in this situation, it won’t work 100% of the time. The goal is to tip the odds in your favor. That’s what good coaches do.

They also start thinking about these situations well in advance. Use the offseason to think about what you want to do in these scenarios.

In doing so, you will be more confident, poised and prepared when those moments arise.

And a confident, poised and prepared coach leads to a confident, prepared and poised team.

If you have any thoughts on late game timeouts, feel free to reply to this email and let us know what has and hasn’t worked for you!

Comments Most Likes First   Oldest First   Newest First James Ugland says: 2/11/2025 at 12:54:43 PM Great Article! Thank you for this. Like     login   register

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