Each week Coach Bass brings his 30 years of NFL coaching experience to USA Football. Email Coach Bass your question.
I hope everyone had a relaxing holiday, and now that the pressure of the season is over, we can take some time to discuss some of those questions that may have come up during games or practice sessions. Please send them on to us and we will answer as many as possible during this off-season.
Coach Tom Bass
Wayne from Halifax, NS sent the following question:
Please explain the rationale for NFL QBs to always run the play clock down on each play even if their team is behind? Why do teams huddle up on a change of possession instead of having the first play called on the sideline before the team takes the field?
Hi Wayne,
It is nice to hear from a football fan from Halifax. In answer to your first question, the time remaining on the play clock is not a concern, as long as the game clock is not running, except that you do not want to get a delay of game penalty.
When a team is behind and the game clock is stopped, teams will often let the play clock run down in hopes that the defense may show what they are going to run prior to the snap of the ball. This pre-snap read of a blitz or certain coverages can provide an advantage to the offensive team, not just for the quarterback and receivers, but also for the blockers on the play.
Understanding and using good clock management is one of the most important duties a head coach can perform during a game, especially at the end of each half. Being aware of his timeouts, knowing which situations stop the game clock, and of course having the knowledge of what he needs in the way of points to prolong or win the game, all must be considered in the few seconds left to play.
Every player on the field must also be aware of the time remaining and the importance of hustling to get lined up, set and ready for the snap when there is little time left on the clock.
Many teams will call a play on the sideline and run out on the field and line up ready to snap the ball, but this occurs more at the college level than with professional teams. When there is a change of possession in professional football, the clock is stopped and there is a commercial. So there is not an advantage in running out, lining up and not going to a huddle.
Coaches often feel better using a huddle to make certain that the correct personnel are in the game, the players know the formation, play and snap count and that the quarterback calls the play as the leader of the team.
I feel sure that as a football fan, you may have witnessed a head coach that completely messes up at the end of the game and does not manage the clock so that he does not leave enough time to throw that last pass to the end zone or have the team line up and kick a game-winning field goal. Hopefully it does not happen to your team and favorite coach.
Coach Tom Bass
Coach Tom Bass, the technical writer and advisor for USA Football, is a 30-year NFL coach who has also authored several books, including "Play Football the NFL Way" - the first "how to" book ever authorized and published by the NFL. Coach Bass is happy to personally autograph his books to you. Book ordering information can be found at http://www.coachbass.com/.
