Chapter 15 - Effect Of The Score And Time

JL he quarterback must learn to play at all times in relation to the score and the time. He must be allowed to do this on the practice field as much as possible. There are just three major rules to remember and all the others are ramifications. The three major rules are:

1. Your quarterback should play conservatively when ahead. He should keep the ball as long as he can without kicking.
   
   
2. Your quarterback should take chances only when he is behind.
   
   
3. Your quarterback should play it safely when the score is tied, taking a few "sound" chances.
   

Your Team 0-Opponents 0

Whenever the score is tied, whether your team was expected to win, play it safely, take some chances to win, but make them "sound" chances. A golden rule to remember is: "Don't gamble when the odds are great against you and if you fail, it could mean the game." Some quarterbacks play as if they are behind when the score is tied. After all, a tie is better than a loss.

Your Team 7-Opponents 0

Whenever your team is ahead by seven points, do not hurry the play. Above all, play it safe. Try to keep the ball as long as you safely can without kicking. Put the pressure on  your opponents and let them take chances and you capitalize on their mistakes. Be careful in the use of your passing  game. If your team is ahead by six points, you should be thinking in terms of a touchdown  or a field goal . You need a score to insure victory. You may take some reasonable chances, but always keep in mind that you are ahead. If it is late in the game and you are ahead by six points play it safe.

Your Team 14-Opponents 0

If your team is ahead by 14 points, do not hurry the play. Play it safe and try to keep possession of the ball. If you can score a third touchdown  before your opponents score, it should mean victory. Go after that third score and  don't be content with a 14-point lead. If you have only a 12-point lead, you definitely need another score. If you pass, use safe passes.

Many times a quarterback becomes too conservative with a two touchdown  lead, and it results in defeat for his team. He cannot regain the offensive advantage he once had while the defensive team is gaining  momentum. Stay with all your standard kicking rules. If the defensive alignment indicates a weakness to the pass, use your best pass. If you are ahead by 12 points, or more, late in the game, play it absolutely safe.

Your Team 0-Opponents 7

If your team is behind by seven points with plenty of time remaining, play normal football. Do not try to get that score back in a hurry by taking chances. Another touchdown  by your opponents, because you tried to score in one or two plays, and you are "on the ropes." However, if you are behind by 6 or 7 points late in the game, you must "cut loose with everything you have to win."

Your Team 0-Opponents 14

If your team is behind by 14 points (unless it is in the first half) you must use anything you have. Sometimes a team can get behind by two touchdowns in the first few minutes of the game due to breaks, etc., and yet recover to win. Remember the defense  will loosen up somewhat in the second half with a 14-point lead to stop the passing  game.

When you are behind by 14 points, or two touchdowns, in the fourth quarter, you must gamble and use anything on any part of the field, if necessary, even on your own goal-line late in the game.

Your Team 0-Opponents 21

If your team is behind by three touchdowns, or more, the only chance you have to get back in the game is to play with the "throttle wide  open." If you play conservatively in this situation, your teammates will lose their morale and whatever slim chances you have for victory, or a respectable score will disappear. Your rule is—When you are behind by three touchdowns in the second half, use everything everywhere!

Your Team 6-Opponents 7

If your team is behind by one point, or three points, the first thing you should consider is a field goal. You should maneuver for a touchdown , but always keep in mind that field goal can win or tie. Even though you are only behind by a single point, you are still behind and caution must be forgotten late in the game. Your rule to remember is—The game might as well be lost by 50 points as by a single point, if the one point defeat is due to too much caution.

How To Use A Safety

Teach your quarterback that there are times when he must use a safety . Then discuss these in situations in exact details. The team must be taught how to line up after a safety , both for offense and for defense . They must also be taught how to put the ball in play by use of a free kick. During the course of a season, there will be times when it is sound strategy to give up two points late in the game when kicking from your own goal line. For example, if your team is leading by six points, a touchdown  could beat you, but you could give up as many as two safeties and yet win the game.

Without hesitation—know eight ways to save time and eight ways to use time.

Eight Ways To Save Time

In order to save time:

1. Hustle in and out of the huddle .
   
   
2. Eliminate the huddle if your system permits.
   
   
3. Pass often, but use "safe passes" like the sideline  pass, etc.
   
   
4. Run out of bounds.
   
   
5. Throw the ball out of bounds when being tackled near the sidelines .
   
   
6. Use your time outs  remaining immediately after each play.
   
   
7. Call for measurements whenever possible.
   
   
8. Use series plays.

Eight Ways To Use Time

In order to use up time:

1. Stall in all your actions.
   
   
2. Run wide  plays.
   
   
3. Run the line. Unpile slowly and get legs tangled.
   
   
4. Stay in bounds.
   
   
5. Do not pass.
   
   
6. Use almost the full 25 seconds in the huddle.
   
   
7. Use a flanker on each play and have him position himself slowly.
   
   
8. Use motion plays on a high snap  count.

The Time Element

This portion of generalship is so very important that we decided to devote a separate section to its analysis, even though some phases of the time element are discussed in other parts of the book. For your convenience, a brief summary of the essence of clock-watching follows:

Urge your team

You should know when to urge your team. Regulate the tempo of your team by your actions and mannerisms. You are like the leader of a band. When you want your team to work slowly, you radiate extreme calmness and poise; and when you want speed, you start to jazz it up like Alexander.

You should always urge your team as you approach the opponents' goal line. Keep the pressure on then, and don't let up in this area.

No time like present

If your team is behind in the score, keep everyone hustling, as there is no time like the present. Make every down count and get that go ahead touchdown immediately. Some quarterbacks feel they can get a score when they need one. Remember, when behind, there is no time like the present.

Always keep your team moving and hustling when you have the wind advantage. It could change at anytime, so take advantage of it.

When behind

In the last five or six minutes of the game, when you are behind, you will have to take chances and "shoot the works." If you have a fresh runner, or pass receiver, use him if he is sent in. Sometimes a strong fresh runner can break away for a long run and put your team in scoring position.

You should slow the pace of your team when ahead late in the game. If there is a strong wind against you, it may be to your advantage to slow up your tempo.

Eight Mistakes To Avoid

Every quarterback should always keep in mind the basic mistakes which can and usually do lose football games every Saturday. The quarterback should continually strive to avoid making these basic errors:

1.  The mistake of not punting on fourth down is a serious one.

With the emphasis on offensive football, most quarterbacks think of the punt as a last resort weapon. Actually it can become your most effective offensive play, if used correctly. It is the duty of the coach and the quarterback to sell this idea to the squad.

It seems as though it would be impossible for your opponents to prevent you from making one yard. Your teammates want to go for it and the spectators never want you to punt. Unless it is late in the game, and your team is behind, always punt on fourth down. Because, if you fail to kick on fourth down, you may lose 100 yards for your team. After exchange of kicks, plus rushing or passing, you may lose more yards than any backfield man will gain during the entire game. Remember, yardage gained by punting is just as valuable as that gained by running or passing.

From a moral viewpoint, this failure to punt can be disastrous for your team and serve as a "tonic" for your opponents. Usually when you get the ball again, you are operating "in the hole," whereas, if you kicked, you should have your opponents against the wall. Now, when they kick to your team, you should be in favorable position to move the ball by land or air.

The mistake of not punting on fourth down is one of the most serious errors you can make.
 
2. With the score tied or a touchdown behind, don't become over-anxious to score.

When you are behind the score is tied. When the score is tied you are ahead. This is the thinking we attempt to implant in our quarterback's mind to prevent him from taking foolish chances to score quickly. Use your kicking game—play solid football. Naturally, it is impossible to establish specific rules for all situations, but this is our general plan.

3. The practice of the employment of the long forward pass in a sure passing situation.

A situation of third down and 12 yards to go for the first down. The defense will be playing deep and just waiting for the ball, hoping that you pass.

4. Always use your kicking game when playing under inclement conditions.

This is the best play you have and can be your offense on a field with poor footing.

5. The mistake of kicking on fourth down, when backed up against your own goal line.

When you wait until fourth down to kick from deep in your territory, you are putting added pressure on the center, the linemen who must retain their blocks longer, and most of all the kicker. A mistake by any one in this area can mean six points and the game. This is the golden land to return kicks and generally more kicks are returned for touchdowns and long yardage than any other on the field. The kicker is under tremendous pressure and may hurry himself, resulting in a sliced kick, a short kick, or a low kick. By kicking on second or third down, you remove pressure from the lineman in retaining their blocks, because the defense is not sure of your intentions. As a result, you also help your center and kicker because a mistake can occur between them and they still have another chance.

6. Too many "Mexican generals"  in the huddle will cause mistakes.

Concentration is impaired and as a result, your teammates will err. If necessary, you may have to do it the hard way and take a penalty, but do not try to out-talk these generals.

7. Failure to use your "cycle plays" with the clock running out when you are behind.

This is the only method to get extra plays off while racing with the clock.

8. Never lose your poise and never give up.

We may be badly beaten, but our morale will remain. If you lose your poise, you lose all the qualities of a leader that are essential to direct the team.

Summary

In conclusion, the quarterback who can avoid committing these mistakes, will be a decided asset to his team.

There are several other mistakes that were not included in the "big eight" such as:

1. Neglecting to equalize the load of your backs, especially after a long run or a jarring tackle, and providing a breather.
   
   
2. Being non-observant in the use of a field goal.
   
   
3. Employing fancy plays and gambling just before the half.
   
   
4. If advantageous, the failure to use a safety.In the final analysis, the major errors which lose games are listed in the "big eight."

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