Timeout timing can decide sports matches

Timeouts can change the outcome of matches in handball, basketball and ice hockey, SRF reports. Coaches use them to introduce new tactics, interrupt an opponent’s momentum, motivate their team, calm emotions or give players a brief rest.

But the timing and wording of a timeout are crucial, according to sports psychologist Philipp Müller. In handball, where play moves quickly from one end of the court to the other, coaches must react at the right moment.

Swiss national team coach Andy Schmid experienced the consequences during a European Championship qualifier against heavily favoured Germany last year. Switzerland led for much of the match but conceded the win three seconds before the final whistle. “I am angry at myself. I should have taken the timeout earlier,” Schmid said after the game.

Germany coach Alfred Gislason suffered an even more painful setback at the European Championship earlier this year. He pressed the timeout buzzer just as one of his players scored against Serbia. The goal was disallowed, and Germany eventually lost.

The right words matter

A timeout can also backfire because of the way a coach addresses the team. Last autumn, a Bundesliga coach berated his players so severely that repeating the wording would violate moral guidelines, according to SRF.

Müller said that was a clear no-go. Body language and emotions also affect the outcome of a timeout. “If you throw up your hands, look grim and shout at the players, it tends to have a negative effect,” he said.

The number and length of timeouts vary by sport. In handball, each team has three one-minute timeouts per match. Ice hockey teams have one 30-second timeout, which may be taken only during an official stoppage. Basketball teams have five timeouts during regulation time, while volleyball teams receive two 30-second timeouts per set and water polo teams have two 60-second timeouts per match.

In individual sports such as tennis and fencing, players can often request medical timeouts when they need treatment for an injury or other physical problem.