official timeout
Mandated game pause
An official timeout is a pause in play called by game officials or the league rather than by either team.
In professional and televised sports, these are typically scheduled breaks for broadcasting commercials: The official timeout gave networks time for a two-minute ad spot.
They occur at predetermined points—after the first dead ball under certain time thresholds, or at regular intervals.
Distinguished from team timeouts, which coaches call strategically.
- stoppageInterruption of flow
- whistleShrill air-blown sounder
- buzzerElectric signaling device
- dead ballHalted game situation
- coachOne who instructs
huddle · bench · strategy · replay · challenge · clock · pause · break · referee · sideline · commercial · ad break · reset · substitution · flag · review · delay · injury
- game stoppagesdead ball, delay of game, replay review, instant replay, booth review
- timeoutspause, break, rest, delay, stop
official, timeout, time, officially, officialdom, officials, unofficially, unofficial, officer