Running out the clock

The process of running out the clock generally involves low-risk, low-event play, intending to minimize the ability of the other team to interfere or counter.

[2] In other timed sports, including basketball, gridiron football, and hockey, the more neutral term "running out the clock" is more commonly used.

[3][4][5] These actions should, in theory, be negated by the addition of an equal amount of stoppage time, but teams nevertheless employ these methods.

Referees are empowered to book players whom they feel are delaying the restart of play and several amendments to the Laws of the Game and guidance to match officials have been made to prevent time-wasting,[6] including progressively stricter restrictions on how long possession can be maintained by goalkeepers.

An amendment to the Laws attempting to mitigate time-wasting substitutions was made in 2019 — players are now required to leave the pitch at the nearest boundary, rather than making an often long and slow walk back to their teams' technical area.

Strategically, running down the clock can be stifled by playing man-on-man defence, in an attempt to force the opposition to kick to a contest, creating the chance for a turnover.

According to the laws, wasting time is either (a) a free kick to the opposing team (15.10.1.a), (b) a 50-metre penalty (18.1.b), or (c) a reportable offence if it is judged to be intentional, reckless or negligent (19.2.2.g.iv).

[10][11] This tactic was exploited to an absurd degree in the 2008 AFL Grand Final, which saw Hawthorn rush a record 11 behinds against Geelong.

[12][13][14] Since 2009, it has been illegal in AFL matches for a defender to deliberately concede a rushed behind when he is not under any pressure from the attacking team.

For most of baseball history, games ended before becoming official were re-played from the beginning at a later date, thus giving a losing team incentive to waste time under some circumstances.

The most recent major-league example occurred on July 18, 1954, when the St. Louis Cardinals were assessed a forfeit after wasting time while losing to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Running out the clock was a major problem in the early days of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

An offense nearing the end of a game and holding a slim lead will attempt to use up as much of both clocks as possible before shooting the ball, to give the opposing team as little time as possible to respond.

A team trailing by a small margin near the end of regulation or overtime may counter their opponent's attempt to run out the clock by intentionally committing personal fouls while on defense.

Running plays also carry a much lower chance of turning the ball over and of a turnover resulting in a score or significant gain for the defense.

Relatively safe, short, West Coast offense-type passes can be, and sometimes are, included in attempts to run out the clock, especially if more yardage is needed to earn a first down and maintain possession.

The Giants elected to run out as much time as possible and then kick a relatively short field goal to take a late lead.

Bradshaw, aware of the Patriots' strategy, attempted to stop himself from crossing the goal line but was unsuccessful as his momentum carried him forward.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford then led Detroit on a 75-yard drive in 8 plays all the way down the field, culminating with an 11-yard pass to tight end T. J. Hockenson to tie the game as time expired, and kicker Matt Prater kicking the game-winning extra point to give the Lions a narrow 23–22 win.

A team that has recently scored and taken the lead with a short amount of time left will usually attempt a squib kick on the ensuing kickoff; the low, bouncing squib kick cannot be fair caught and lands short of a touchback, effectively requiring the return team to play the ball and run time off the clock.

Additionally, a player (usually a goalkeeper) may be charged with a minor (two-minute) penalty for delay of game for shooting the puck over the glass and out of play.

In the National Rugby League (rugby league), anti-time wasting measures include countdown clocks to achieve timely formations of the scrum and execution of line drop-outs,[23] calling of time-off during the last five minutes of the match when a try has been scored, or when a conversion attempt runs longer than 80 seconds.