Can Your Quarterback Handle the Clock?
Notre Dame
by: Bill Diedrick©
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The topic of clock management can be one that is talked about a great deal in coaching meetings, but one that can be easily overlooked, especially in the overall preparation of the quarterback. I hope you will find the following information helpful in some way.
Clock Management as defined is the QB’s ability to control the clock efficiently in all situations:,
A. Dead ball
B. Live Ball
1. Huddle Mechanics
2. LOS Mechanics
a. Cadence
b. Audible, Checks, Alerts
C. Special Situations
1. Four Minute
2. Two Minute (May Day)
3. No Huddle
a. Slow
b. Up tempo
4. Game Plan
DEAD BALL
QB’s awareness of when the ball has been put into play by officials signal and 25 second clock has started.
LIVE BALL
This is QB’s ability to control things from the huddle to LOS mechanics to snap of the ball.
We have a mechanism built in for the QB to help with the huddle mechanics. As the QB is receiving the play (either by signal or messenger), the center has informed the huddle of down and distance and is to give a “clock call” if the 25-second clock gets below 15. If a clock call is given and the QB does not have a play or one is not on its way, the QB steps into the huddle and calls the automatic play for that specific game. (Each week we give the QB a Base Run and Base Pass that we are able to run from multiple personnel groupings and formations). It gets us in and out of the huddle with a sound base play to prevent using a time out.
HUDDLE MECHANICS
When we break the huddle, the QB checks the 25-second clock. If we are running a play that involves a shift or motion, and we are under 15 seconds and do not have enough time to line up, then shift and/or motion, he will call “line up” to alert everyone we will line up in formation called and run play with no shift or motion used. It also alerts the rest of the team that the cadence will be quicker.
LOS MECHANICS
We ask our QB to do a lot at the LOS, getting us out of bad plays, going from run to run alerts, run to pass alerts, and advantage checks.
We ask him to do this in both live and dummy situations, and both with a verbal communication as well as through signals to the wide receivers.
SPECIAL SITUATIONS
There are times during the course of the game that call for the QB’s ability to use the clock efficiently and effectively.
Four Minute Offense:
This is at the end of the game when we are in need of getting one or two first downs to ice the game and using the maximum amount of time allowed. Besides alerting the players to be slow off the pile, take their time getting back to huddle and staying in bounds to keep the clock moving. We ask the QB to call the play at the 15-second mark and to snap the ball with 2 seconds on the 25-second clock. (If he’s very efficient at it, you could let him go to 1 second, but under no circumstances do we want or can we accept a delay of game penalty to stop the clock. Plays run in this situation are non-checked plays and let the QB work the clock. If a pass were to be called, we would make sure that it is a high percentage pass and we obviously do not want an incomplete pass.
May Day or Two-Minute Offense:
Here, we have the opposite of using the clock. In this situation, our goal is to use the clock to maximum efficiency and to put points on the scoreboard. It is important for the QB to know the “total situation.” What score is needed? Is it before half where you will take a field goal. Is it at the end of the game where you need a touchdown to win, a field goal to tie, or a field goal to win? All of these factors determine the strategy of the QB in his working within the Two-Minute Offense.
Procedures for Two Minute Offense:
Saving time when tied or behind – A QB guide for Two Minute:
1. You must be absolutely positive about the number of time outs remaining.
2. You must know when your coach will want to use them. Wait until the final minute, or use them early.
3. It is the QB’s responsibility to know all the rules regarding the stopping and starting of the game clock. You must be the absolute master of the situation.
4. The ball carriers and receivers must be aware of whether you are thinking touchdown or field goal. They will be fighting harder to break for the long gainer when a touchdown is necessary. They will be more willing to get out of bounds safely to stop the clock if we are working for a field goal.
5. Always use a quick count during two minute. After a first down, get your team aligned on the LOS, the play called and address the center so you are able to snap the ball immediately after the referee starts the game clock (much time is wasted by QB’s in this situation).
6. Follow the game plan in calling plays that will allow the runner or receiver to get out of bounds if possible.
7. Recognize the situation in which you must intentionally throw the incomplete pass to stop the clock.
8. Follow the play closely, and be prepared to line up and call a play at the line of scrimmage if we do not get the clock stopped (keep an eye on the bench for a visual signal from the coach).
9. Request a measurement any time the ball is close.
10. You must understand the philosophy of when a called time out is necessary, and you must hustle to be close to the correct official to get this time out called quickly. You will call all time outs unless the other designated player can expedite this time out call (example, a player coming off the bench to call a time out).
11. Stay “cool” and remember that you are in charge.
No Huddle Offense:
In executing the ‘No Huddle Offense’, it is important for the QB to know and understandthe philosophy and tempo of their ‘No Huddle Offense.’ It is quite effective to do both. In the slow tempo, basically we are just huddling on the LOS and through the QB’s mechanics, he will snap the ball at 2 or 3 seconds on the 25 second clock (using maximum clock on each play with the slow tempo) making your opponent wait for you.
With the up-tempo game, it is still not like your two minute offense. We are just calling a play at LOS, making sure all communication is made and snapping the ball to really keep the defensive team off balance. The time between plays will be the biggest difference in no huddle and two-minute offense.
GAME PLAN
It is important that each week the QB understands not only the game plan, but the tempo and clock management the coach desires for that particular week. If it is a situation where we want to shorten the game with fewer snaps, then we want to use maximum clock. If on the other hand, we want to lengthen the game and increase the number of snaps and opportunities we get, we may up-tempo and perhaps elect to use the ‘No Huddle Offense.’ This can be done at selected times during the course of the game, or could be used to change tempo or momentum.
Aside from the special situations we’ve talked about above, this is one of the more important things a QB must realize about the game plan.
DRILL WORK
To assist the QB in mastering his clock management skills, we have a number of drills that we use. These drills can be done on the field in a live situation or simulated in the classroom.
On the field, we will always use a 25-second clock (in scrimmage situations and in fall camp, we will have officials work our practice so we get the full benefit of the setting of the 25-second clock).
We will give the situation to the team and QB. You could utilize all situations here (i.e. Four Minute, Two Minute and No Huddle tempo). Whatever the special category is for that day, that is the emphasis for that period.
We work this both in a full team setting and in a perimeter grouping. The perimeter group is usually used in May Day and No Huddle only.
To help prepare the QB for these periods, we use a simulated drill in the classroom. This may be done individually or in a group. One QB is up, is given the situation and then walks through a mock series play by play and given time and clock counts. I believe this has been a real help to our QB’s in their clock management skills.
We will also take this same drill and apply it on the field. Just the QB’s and a coach giving him the play by play, the time and a clock count in a mock game situation.
SUMMARY
The outcome of all close games comes down to one crucial area – clock management and how well or how poor the QB is able to manage it. It takes a great deal of preparation both on and off the field for the QB to effectively manage the clock in all situations. Begin now if you have been negligent in this area.
About the author
Bill Diedrick
After serving as Stanford’s offensive coordinator for four seasons, Bill Diedrick just completed his third campaign as Notre Dame’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. A veteran coach for over 30 years, Diedrick also coached at Montana State, Idaho, Washington State, Washington, and with the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL. He was a four-year letterman at Eastern Washington University in both baseball and football, earning NAIA All-American honors in football.
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