AT SOME POINT during the season, your defense will be confronted with a situation when you must consider the clock as well as your opponent. There are three basic situations in which the clock is a factor:

-   Time is running out and your team is ahead by more than 8.
-    Time is running out and your team is behind by less than 8.
-    Time is running out and your team is ahead by 3 or less.

1. Your Team Is Ahead By More Than 8-Points Killing Clock
When your team is ahead in the game, the clock is on your side and the pressure is on your opponent.
Your defense must know the following situations before they take the field:

-    The score. What does your opponent need to win? What do they need to tie?
-    Know how many time outs are remaining.
-    Know your opponents tendencies on clock management.
-    Be mentally prepared for a no-huddle offense, trips, a pass back to the quarterback, etc.

Know The Rules
For situations where your team is in the lead, your players must know that the clock stops:
-    On penalties. Your team must avoid penalties.
-    An incomplete pass.
-    A first down. The clock stops until the official sets the down marker.
-    The ball carrier goes out-of-bounds. Always try to keep the ball carrier in bounds.
-    Stay inbounds on interceptions. If the interception occurs in the end zone, stay in the end zone.
-    A yardage-distance measurement. Don’t ask for measurements if your team is ahead.
-    Injured players. If one of your players is injured, if it is at all possible, teach him to get off the field under his own power.
-    After a clock stoppage, it starts up again when the officials wind the clock. They will not do this until both teams are on their respective sides of the ball.

VS.  No-Huddle Offense
Unless you have a specific rule for a particular opponent, your defense should be called at the line of scrimmage by your middle linebacker.

Swarm to the ball
Train your players to make sure-tackles and hold the ball carrier up so the defense can create piles through gang tackling.

2. Your Team Is Behind  And You Need To Save Time
When your team is behind, the clock becomes the enemy. The pressure is on your defense to get the ball back as quickly as possible.

Your defensive unit must be aware of these factors:
-    The score. What do you need to win? What do you need to tie?
-    Time-outs remaining. Be judicious in the use of time-outs. All the coaches on your staff must know how the head coach wants to use them. Designate the MLB and the free safety as the only players who can call time-outs. Save as many time-outs as you can for the offense.

Rules For Getting The Ball Back
Your players must be aware of the clock management rules for a comeback situation. In this situation, the clock stops:
-    On penalties. Your team must refrain from penalties, especially those that sustain an opponent’s drive. Be alert for long counts and quick shifts on short-yardage situations that try to draw your defense offside.
-    An incomplete pass.
-    The ball carrier goes out-of-bounds. In this situation, try to force the ball carrier out-of bounds.
-    A yardage-distance measurement. If the ball is close to a first down, ask the official for a measurement.
-    Change of possession. Your team needs the ball back!

Force Turnovers
Your defense must always try to force turnovers. Make sure that the players are mentally prepared for a turnover. If you cannot score off a turnover, immediately get to the nearest sideline. You need that clock stopped!

3. Your Team Is Ahead By 3-Points Or Less
When you’re in a tight game, your players must be aware that a field goal could win or tie the game. The basic strategy is to play as if the score is 0-0.

Many different factors will affect your strategy in a close game.
- The opposing kicker’s leg strength and accuracy.
- Weather/kicking conditions.
- Their need to win or tie and its affect on championship.

Keep Your Cool
In any clock management situation, the most important ingredient for success is poise. Regardless of the situation, if the defense does what it takes to win, then the game will be yours.

Your team must look at these situations in such a perspective that the pressure is always on your opponent.