The WNBA Board of Governors accredited new Coach’s Problem and timeout guidelines for the 2024 season, designed to “enhance the circulation of the sport and supply elevated flexibility to coaches trying to make use of a Problem.” The principles had been endorsed by the WNBA Competitors Committee and ratified by the WNBA Board of Governors.
The amendments to the league’s guidelines are beneath.
Coach’s Problem
Groups will now be awarded a second Coach’s Problem – for use throughout regulation play or in extra time – if their first Problem is profitable. A staff should proceed to make use of a staff timeout to set off a Problem, which suggests a staff will be unable to make use of its first or second Problem except it nonetheless has a staff timeout obtainable. As well as, a staff might proceed to retain the timeout used to provoke its first Problem if that Problem is profitable.
For the aim of sport circulation and size of sport, a staff won’t retain the timeout used to provoke its second Problem no matter whether or not it’s profitable.
Key options of the Coach’s Problem guidelines:
- A staff can use its Problem to set off an prompt replay overview of three particular occasions: a known as foul by itself staff, a known as out-of-bounds violation or a known as goaltending or basket interference violation. Replay for a known as goaltending or basket interference violation will solely be triggered by the on-court officers over the last two minutes of the fourth interval or final two minutes of any extra time interval. A Coach’s Problem is the one mechanism to set off a replay overview of an out-of-bounds violation at any level within the sport.
- To provoke a Problem, a staff should instantly name a staff timeout and the top coach will present the visible sign for a Problem by twirling an index finger towards the referees and verbally indicating the decision being challenged.
- If a staff makes an attempt to problem an occasion with no remaining timeouts, the staff is charged an extreme timeout, for which the penalty is a technical foul, and no Problem will happen.
- If a staff calls a timeout to problem an occasion that will not be reviewed, the staff can be charged a timeout however will retain its Problem.
- As with different replay evaluations, with a view to overturn the occasion as known as on the ground, there should be clear and conclusive visible proof that the unique name was incorrect.
- Every challengeable occasion could have a singular set of reviewable issues for consideration. One instance is that in a overview for a known as foul, the officers can rule on the matter of continuation.
Timeout Format
Most lately, every staff was allotted 4 (4) full staff timeouts and two 20-second timeouts. Starting with the 2024 season, the next timeout format can be in place:
- Throughout regulation play, every staff will now be allotted 5 (5) staff timeouts plus one “Reset” timeout.
- Every staff is restricted to 2 (2) staff timeouts after the later of (i) the three-minute mark of the fourth interval or (ii) the conclusion of the second necessary timeout of the fourth interval.
- Necessary timeouts can be 2:45 in size and non-mandatory timeouts can be 1:15 in size.
- 20-second timeouts are eradicated.
- In extra time intervals, every staff can be allowed two (2) staff timeouts and one (1) Reset timeout. There is no such thing as a restriction as to when a staff should name its staff timeouts throughout any extra time interval.
A Reset timeout is a stoppage of play requested by a staff that enables it to advance the ball and make substitutions however not huddle. Every staff is entitled to at least one Reset within the remaining two minutes of the fourth interval and one within the remaining two minutes of any extra time interval.
Key options of the Reset timeout:
- To request a Reset, the top coach or participant should name a timeout after which instantly sign (arms crossed in an “X”) and verbalize “Reset.”
- If both staff huddles or prevents the ball from instantly being put again in play, a delay of sport can be issued to that staff. A Reset will not be used because of a stoppage for an injured participant, or different delay, except a staff doesn’t have any staff timeouts remaining.
- If a staff requests a Reset timeout throughout reside play and a compulsory timeout is due, solely the necessary can be charged, and the Reset timeout can be returned.
- If a staff requests a Reset and has already used it (or the sport isn’t within the final two minutes of the fourth interval or final two minutes of an extra time interval), that staff can be charged with a staff timeout.
- If a staff requests a Reset and has already used it (or the sport isn’t within the final two minutes of the fourth interval or final two minutes of an extra time interval) and has no staff timeouts remaining, that staff can be charged an extreme timeout.
- The shot clock will stay because it was when play was stopped for the Reset.
- Unused Resets won’t carry over to the following interval.
