Managing the clock is a vital skill in tackle football, and flag football is no different. It's just a little tougher to do without the big clock on the scoreboard. But reading the rules of flag football, you'll discover one trick that can give you an edge in running time off the clock to protect a lead.
Normally you have 3 time outs per half. In my league they only allowed 3 time outs per game, so we had to be extra careful about when and how we used them. I made it a priority to preserve all 3 for one final drive, when they would do the most good. Therefore, during the bulk of the game, I would prefer to take a 5-yard Delay of Game penalty rather than burn an irreplaceable time out. In my mind, it was easier to earn back those 5 yards than it was to work the sideline inside of 1 minute to stop the clock. My standing rule: "Only Coach Art calls time outs!"
Here's an example: In one close game, we had driven down to about the opponent's 10 yard line. I was unsure of what play to call, taking an awfully long time to make up my mind. I wanted to throw a Slot Post, but we were a little too close to the end zone. Another 5 yards would give us room to throw it. So, rather than run a play I didn't want, and rather than burn a time out to give me time to select a different play, I simply let the clock run down and took the penalty.
To their credit, my QB (who was barking at me for the play call) did not call for the snap and make up his own play. The Center, knowing the time was ticking down, did not snap it himself. They both were very frustrated when we got the penalty. While the ref reset the ball, I called the team over and explained what just happened. "Why didn't you tell us?" they complained. I told them the truth. "The refs needed to believe it was unintentional."
The next play we called Slot Post and scored a touchdown.
What's important is to make the time ticking away seem "unintentional." See, in flag football, the clock runs continuously until the final 1 or 2 minutes in the half or game, depending on your league's rules. But the bulk of the game ticks silently away. If the officials believe you are intentionally bleeding the clock, they'll penalize you and stop the clock until you snap again.
Taking a penalty is a useful tool every now and then to extend a drive. But if you're trying to run a lot of clock to protect a narrow lead, don't take a bunch of penalties. Instead, consult with the back judge (or whichever official keeps time in your league) and ask the official to call out when 5 seconds are remaining on the play clock. If you have been kind and respectful to the officials, they should do this for you without complaint.
Instruct the team to get in and out of the huddle quickly, get set on the line, and wait. When the ref calls 5 seconds, the QB counts to 3 and calls "Hike" for the ball. In this way, you can insure that you are using virtually all of the play clock and running the most time off the game.
How does your team run clock? Share your suggestions in the comments box or via Twitter @MyCoachArt, or on Facebook on the "Winning Flag Football" page.
Normally you have 3 time outs per half. In my league they only allowed 3 time outs per game, so we had to be extra careful about when and how we used them. I made it a priority to preserve all 3 for one final drive, when they would do the most good. Therefore, during the bulk of the game, I would prefer to take a 5-yard Delay of Game penalty rather than burn an irreplaceable time out. In my mind, it was easier to earn back those 5 yards than it was to work the sideline inside of 1 minute to stop the clock. My standing rule: "Only Coach Art calls time outs!"
Here's an example: In one close game, we had driven down to about the opponent's 10 yard line. I was unsure of what play to call, taking an awfully long time to make up my mind. I wanted to throw a Slot Post, but we were a little too close to the end zone. Another 5 yards would give us room to throw it. So, rather than run a play I didn't want, and rather than burn a time out to give me time to select a different play, I simply let the clock run down and took the penalty.
To their credit, my QB (who was barking at me for the play call) did not call for the snap and make up his own play. The Center, knowing the time was ticking down, did not snap it himself. They both were very frustrated when we got the penalty. While the ref reset the ball, I called the team over and explained what just happened. "Why didn't you tell us?" they complained. I told them the truth. "The refs needed to believe it was unintentional."
The next play we called Slot Post and scored a touchdown.
What's important is to make the time ticking away seem "unintentional." See, in flag football, the clock runs continuously until the final 1 or 2 minutes in the half or game, depending on your league's rules. But the bulk of the game ticks silently away. If the officials believe you are intentionally bleeding the clock, they'll penalize you and stop the clock until you snap again.
Taking a penalty is a useful tool every now and then to extend a drive. But if you're trying to run a lot of clock to protect a narrow lead, don't take a bunch of penalties. Instead, consult with the back judge (or whichever official keeps time in your league) and ask the official to call out when 5 seconds are remaining on the play clock. If you have been kind and respectful to the officials, they should do this for you without complaint.
Instruct the team to get in and out of the huddle quickly, get set on the line, and wait. When the ref calls 5 seconds, the QB counts to 3 and calls "Hike" for the ball. In this way, you can insure that you are using virtually all of the play clock and running the most time off the game.
How does your team run clock? Share your suggestions in the comments box or via Twitter @MyCoachArt, or on Facebook on the "Winning Flag Football" page.
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