Stopping the clock

In American football, “stopping the clock” means halting the game clock. In the second half, this is crucial to game strategy. Stopping the clock has numerous methods:

1. For an incomplete pass, the clock stops when the ball reaches the ground.
2. The clock ends when a player with the ball steps out of bounds. Players do this to save time late in the game.
3. Each team has a set amount of time-outs per half to halt the clock.
4. Scoring Plays: A touchdown, field goal, or safety stops the clock until the following kickoff.
5. Penalties: Depending on the foul and game time, some penalties halt the clock.
6. After an interception or fumble recovery or after a fourth down, the clock stops until the next play.
7. When each half has two minutes left, the NFL automatically stops the clock.

Endgame strategy relies on stopping the clock to help teams score quickly or prevent the other team from doing so.