"Knee football" isn't a distinct sport played on your knees; the term likely refers to a specific, strategic play in standard American football called "taking a knee" or the "victory formation." This play is primarily used for clock management.
Understanding the 'Taking a Knee' Play
Taking a knee is a simple but effective play utilized by teams, typically when they are leading near the end of a half or game, to deliberately run out the clock without advancing the ball or risking turnovers.
How it Works:
- The quarterback receives the snap from the center.
- Immediately after securing the ball, the quarterback kneels down on one knee, thus ending the play.
This action is considered equivalent to being tackled.
Outcome of the Play (According to the Reference):
Based on the provided reference:
"Taking a knee is the same outcome as a running play or pass play that ends in a tackle without getting out of bounds."
When a player takes a knee:
- The play immediately ends.
- "The play is over but the game clock keeps going".
- "the play clock resets to 30".
This combination of stopping the play while letting the game clock continue to run is crucial for teams trying to consume time.
Strategic Use: Winding Down the Clock
The primary purpose of taking a knee is to reduce the amount of time left on the game clock, preventing the opponent from having another opportunity to possess the ball.
Example Scenario (from the Reference):
Imagine a team has the ball with limited time left in the game and wants to secure their win. The reference gives this example:
"So at 1:00, they take a knee, wait until the game clock hits 30 and take another knee."
- Play 1 (at 1:00): The team takes a knee. The play ends quickly, but the game clock continues to tick down from 1:00 towards 0:30. The play clock resets to 30.
- Play 2 (at ~0:30): Before the play clock expires, the team runs another play, taking a knee again. This ends the play quickly, and the game clock continues to run from ~0:30 towards 0:00.
By repeating this action, the team effectively uses up the remaining game time with minimal risk.
Key Points About Taking a Knee
- Low Risk: It's a very safe play, minimizing the chance of fumbles or interceptions compared to running or passing plays.
- Clock Management: Its sole purpose is to strategically manage the game clock.
- Sportsmanship: While purely strategic, taking a knee at the end of a winning game is often seen as an act of sportsmanship, signaling the concession of the final outcome.
In summary, "taking a knee" is not a game of "knee football" but a standard tactical play in American football used by the offense to run down the clock when they have the lead, ending the play quickly while allowing the game clock to continue.
