Last updated: Feb 09, 2023
A timeout is when a team stops the clock and game by using one of their timeouts.During a timeout, the teams then have a break to rest, get water, make substitutions, and go over game strategy. Timeouts can also be used to throw off an opponent’s kicker in certain situations as well.
Timeouts are used to stop the game clock from ticking. After a timeout ends, the play clock still ticks and lasts 25 seconds. A coach or player on the field is responsible for calling timeouts.
Table of Contents
- College Football Timeout Rules
- NFL Timeout Rules
- Timeout Strategy
- Reasons To Call A Timeout
- Conserving Time
- Changing Play Design
- Delay of Game Penalty
- Icing the Kicker
- FAQ
In college football, each team gets three timeouts per half and each timeout lasts about 90 seconds.Timeouts do not carry over to the second half if they are not used in the first half. Teams do not have to use their timeouts if they do not want to. Timeouts are allowed to be used whenever a team chooses if the ball is dead.However, consecutive timeouts are not allowed.In overtime, each team will get one timeout per period regardless of how many they ended the game with. These timeouts do not carry over to additional overtime periods.
NFL Timeout Rules
In the NFL, each team gets three timeouts per halfand each timeout is two minutes long.Any unused timeouts do not carry over to the second half. Any or all timeouts do not have to be used. Timeouts are not allowed to be used twice in a row on the same scrimmage down. It is in the team's best interest to use their timeouts before the half ends.In overtime, each team will get two timeouts regardless of how many they ended the game with.
Timeout Strategy
Timeouts can be taken to allow a team to rest if the pace of the game is moving very quickly.Usually, these timeouts are called by a defensive team because offensive teams control the pace of the game and do not have to call a timeout to rest; they could slow down and/or make substitutions.
Timeouts could also be taken if a play clock is winding down. These types of timeouts are usually called by an offensive team when their offense is not ready to snap the ball before the play clock hits zero. This prevents the offense from receiving a delay of game penalty which would result in a loss of five yards.
Timeouts are also called to stop the game clock if the time is winding down, so a team will have more time to call plays and score.
Reasons To Call A Timeout
A team will use a timeout:
- To conserve time
- To change the play design
- To prevent a delay of game penalty
- To ice the kicker
Conserving Time
Calling a timeout can conserve time for a team by buying them a few extra seconds to run plays. Timeouts are opportunities to regroup and save the last few minutes (or even seconds) for play execution. Timeouts can also be used to conserve time in the event an offensive player was unable to get out of bounds in a close game where time is of the essence.
Changing Play Design
Timeouts can also be called when a coach wants to change the play or formation in a specific moment. This could be a result of the other team changing formations or new players entering the field.If a team is trailing by a few points at the end of the game, the coach might call a timeout to show the team a new play that might change the course of the game. Other times, coaches call timeouts when their team is struggling and they need to try out other strategies.
Delay of Game Penalty
A delay of game penalty is called when a team takes too long to start a new play. This is called because it is deemed as unnecessary time wasted from the game that could be crucial when it comes to the winner of the game. Delay of game is punishable by a five yard penalty, which can prove extremely detrimental in a closely contested game. A coach will call a timeout to prevent this penalty from occurring, and keep their team from losing crucial yardage.
Icing the Kicker
Icing the kicker is a tactic used by football head coaches in which the coach will call a timeout right before a kicker goes to attempt a crucial field goal.This can be frustrating for the kicker, which is one of the main reasons why coaches or quarterbacks call timeouts. It rattles the other team’s kicker right before performing a kick in the hope that they perform poorly when they actually kick.
FAQ
How long are timeouts in football?
College football timeouts are 90 seconds long while NFL timeouts last two minutes. Each timeout is the same length, so coaches do not save longer or shorter timeouts for specific parts of a game. The reason that some timeouts end up being longer is because of commercial breaks when the game is live. Teams use their timeouts to rest until a referee tells them that it is time to get ready to play football again.
Howdoes a team call a timeout?
A team calls a timeout when their head coach or a player on the field signals to a referee that they want to call a timeout. A head coach or player does this by forming his hands into a ‘T’ shape and telling a referee that they would like to use one of their timeouts. No team can call two timeouts in a row on the same scrimmage down.
Who is allowed to call a timeout in football?
A coach or any player that is on the field and part of the play can call a timeout.A player that is standing on the sidelines is not allowed to call a timeout. Either team can call a timeout at any point regardless of who has possession of the ball.
Do coaches call TV timeouts?
No, coaches are not in charge of TV timeouts.The referees will be notified when a commercial break needs to happen during a game. When a natural break in play occurs, the head referee will call a TV timeout that lasts up to two minutes in length.
Do coaches’ challenges take up a timeout?
If the coach challenges a call and the call is reversed because of it, that coach will get their timeout back.However, if the challenge fails, they lose that time out.For this reason, coaches tend to be especially careful about challenging calls by game officials.
