Time of possession percentage

In American football, the Time of Possession (TOP) percentage refers to the time one team possesses the ball and the entire game duration. It measures how long a team maintains the ball as part of their attacking plan.

This is how it works:

TOP percentage is derived by dividing the total time a team has possession of the ball by the total time of the game (often 60 minutes in regular play). This figure is then expressed as a percentage.

Importance: A greater TOP % frequently implies that a team is effectively controlling the game’s pace and keeping their offense on the field for longer. This can lead to increased scoring chances while keeping the opposition team’s offense off the field, potentially lowering scoring possibilities.

Strategy: Teams may improve their TOP by utilizing running plays, short passes, and other time-consuming methods. Controlling the clock is particularly critical in close games or while attempting to defend a lead.

Limitation: While having a high TOP can be beneficial, it does not always indicate success. A team may have a high TOP but need help to score effectively. On the other hand, a team with a lower TOP may score swiftly and effectively, eliminating the seeming benefit of their opponent’s prolonged possession time.

In conclusion, Time of Possession percentage is a valuable statistic for measuring a team’s control over the game’s flow and ability to keep possession. Still, it is only one aspect that contributes to overall performance and success in a football game.