Probably a DUMB question - sorry

[NinePointOh]

You can't assume they're going to make the first down. Let's say you have one TO and it's 2nd and 5 with 2:15 on the clock.

If the clock is running, you should call your timeout here, or else they won't even run their 2nd down play until after the 2-minute warning. If the clock is stopped or the play clock is about to expire, then this down is irrelevant to the question -- of course you're not going to call the time out when no additional time is going to come off the clock either way.

They run a play and lose 3 yards, making it 3rd and 8, clock is running. I let them run it down to the 2 min warning, keep my TO. Reason being there is a chance that they throw the ball to try to convert the first and end the game. If they complete it and they're short of the first, then you can use the TO and you know you're getting the ball back. If it's incomplete or they go out of bounds short, then you get to save your TO for offense.

Alright, I'll grant that in some cases it does make sense to save the time out for your offense. However, the judgment call in that case is whether to sacrifice time off the clock in order to keep a clock stoppage in your pocket. It doesn't save you any time to let the clock run down to the 2-minute warning (which is what I assumed the original question was asking), it just gives you the freedom to throw to the middle of the field sometimes.

 

[peplaw06]

If the clock is running, you should call your timeout here, or else they won't even run their 2nd down play until after the 2-minute warning. If the clock is stopped or the play clock is about to expire, then this down is irrelevant to the question -- of course you're not going to call the time out when no additional time is going to come off the clock either way.

Alright, I'll grant that in some cases it does make sense to save the time out for your offense. However, the judgment call in that case is whether to sacrifice time off the clock in order to keep a clock stoppage in your pocket. It doesn't save you any time to let the clock run down to the 2-minute warning (which is what I assumed the original question was asking), it just gives you the freedom to throw to the middle of the field sometimes.

I agree that most of the time you want to use your TOs before the 2 min warning, and definitely want to use them on defense rather than offense. Just think that there are some times that I would save the last one until after, if the situation calls for it. I don't think there's a hard and fast rule there.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

how does it save more time?

it's your son

he's running out of...time

he needs...more time

that's ridiculous, we need to wait for a time transplant!

 

[jazzcat22]

what is the advantage to that?

Make them run one more play, in which anything can happen, like a fumble, bad snap. From a defensive perspective.