| Rule Submission Title | Rescinding Medical Time Out |
|---|---|
| USAP Board Vote | Approved with Amendment |
| USAP Board Vote Reason | This revision clarifies the conditions under which a medical time-out request can be rescinded. It is not appropriate to charge a medical time-out before medical personnel arrive, as that timing is beyond the player’s control. The amended rule also allows a player to rescind the request before the referee acknowledges it—typically just moments after it is made—without forfeiting a standard time-out. |
| Existing Rule # | 10.B |
| Proposed Rule Change (edited) | 2026 Rules: 21.C.4 Rescinding Medical Time-Out Request. If the player rescinds the medical time-out after the medical personnel have been called and before they have arrived, a standard time-out will be charged and the medical time-out will not be charged. When a standard time-out is not available, the referee will assess a technical foul against the player or team for delay of game. REVISE PROPOSED 10.B: A player is entitled to one player-requested medical time-out per match. If the player rescinds the medical time-out after the medical personnel have been called and before they have arrived, a standard time out will be charged and the medical time-out will not be charged. If no standard time-outs are available, the player will be assessed a technical foul for delay of game. Once the medical time-out has been requested, the following guidelines shall be used: |
| Proposed Rule Change | New Rule A player that requests a Medical Time out will be charged the medical time out immediately. If the player rescinds the medical time out prior to medical, TD or HR arriving to the court (in leu of Medical) they will be charged the medical time out and a standard time out. If no time out is available the team or player will be assessed a technical foul for delay of game. If a player or team rescinds the MTO before the referee or court monitor places the call, they are charged a standard time out. If no time out is available the team or player will be assessed a technical foul for delay of game. |
| Original Rule Text | 10.B. Medical Time-Out. A player needing medical attention during a match should request a medical time-out from the referee. Once the medical time-out has been requested, the following guidelines shall be used:
10.B.3. If medical personnel, or the Tournament Director if no medical personnel are present, determine that no valid medical condition exists, the player or team will be charged a standard time-out, if available, and issued a technical warning. 10.B.3.a. If a standard time-out is not available, then a technical foul will be issued. 10.B.3.c. A player may be granted only one player-requested medical time-out per match. |
| Reasoning Behind Suggested Change | While safety is paramount there are times when players request a medical time out but before medical arrives they rescind the request. This request delays the game and should be treated as a time out. If none are available a Technical Foul will be assessed for delay of game. It is in the best interest of the player to only request a medical time out when needed and then allow medical personnel or appointees to render treatment. |
| Scenarios In Which the Rules Applies | Player calls for medical. Referee or Court monitor summons medical. Before medical or their designee arrive, the player rescinds the call. This has delayed the game and possibly interrupted their opponents momentum. This should be treated as a time out. Since medical was summoned the medical time out will be charged. If the player rescinds the medical before the referee or court monitor places the call a standard time out is issued. |
| Rule Book Year | 2026 |
| Rule Change ID | 2241 |
| Date Created | May 13, 2025 |
| View Comments | View Comments |
Recent Comments