Eliminate contradiction between Rule 10.B and Rule 10.H.1. regarding when a Medical Time out can be taken

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.H.1.  Before a Match or Between Games: Neither medical nor regular time-outs may be taken before a match starts. A match cannot begin until all players are present and the starting score is called.

10.H.2 Time-out(s) and Medical Time-Out(s) may be used before the start of the second and subsequent games in a multiple-game match.

The current 10.H.2 should be renumbered to 10.H.3.

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.H.1.  Before a Match or Between Games: Neither medical nor regular time-outs may be taken before a match starts. A match cannot begin until all players are present and the starting score is called. Time-out(s) may be used before the start of the second and subsequent games in a multiple-game match. 

This change will eliminate the contradiction between current Rule 10.B.

Rule 10.B. Clearly states that a medical timeout can be taken anytime ‘during a match’; since there are no exclusions specified.  Clearly the time in between games is ‘during a match’. 

Rule 10.H.1. contradicts Rule 10.B. inferring that a only regular time outs can be taken in between games.  There is certainly a chance that a player can cramp up or have other serious medical needs in between games and per 10.B. is allowed to take a Medical Time out.

This rule change aligns 10.H.1 with 10.B removing the contradiction.

If this rule change is accepted, Referee Handbook Section 5.E.1. Medical Time-Out should be updated as follows:

1. Medical Time-Out [Rule 10.B]
If a player suffers an injury or medical condition (including muscle cramping) during play a match, the player may request a medical time-out. NOTE: A player may rescind the request before medical personnel arrives.