A football scrimmage typically lasts around 2-3 hours, though this can vary depending on the level of play, the coaches’ objectives, and whether a game clock is actively used.
When you hear the term “scrimmage” in the context of American football, it refers to a practice game where two teams play against each other. Unlike an official football game duration, a scrimmage doesn’t have the same rigid time constraints or official record-keeping. The primary purpose of a scrimmage is to evaluate players, test offensive and defensive schemes, and provide game-like experience without the pressure of a regular season game. This means the scrimmage length is much more flexible and determined by what the coaching staff aims to achieve.
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Deciphering Scrimmage Timings
The duration of a football scrimmage can be influenced by several factors, all contributing to its overall football practice timing. Let’s break down what determines how long these practice games will run.
Factors Affecting Scrimmage Length
Several key elements play a role in deciding how long a scrimmage will last.
- Level of Play: High school scrimmages might be shorter than college or professional ones due to player fatigue, academic commitments for younger athletes, and the overall intensity of the practice.
- Coach’s Objectives: Is the coach focused on running a specific number of plays? Are they trying to give every player on the roster significant reps? Or are they experimenting with new strategies? These goals directly impact how long they’ll keep the teams on the field.
- Game Clock Usage: The presence and use of a game clock usage significantly impacts scrimmage length. When a clock is running, it mimics an actual game, forcing teams to manage time. Without a clock, coaches might opt for a set number of plays or a specific time period for each “quarter” or “period.”
- Player Development Focus: Some coaches might extend a scrimmage to give younger or less experienced players more opportunities to learn and grow in a competitive environment.
- Weather Conditions: Inclement weather can force a scrimmage to be shortened or even canceled for safety reasons.
Mimicking Actual Game Structure
While not official games, many scrimmages are structured to closely resemble them to maximize learning.
Football Quarter Length and Halves
Even without official game rules, many coaches divide scrimmages into periods that mimic the football quarter length and football half length of an actual game.
- Typical Structure: A common setup involves four 10-15 minute quarters or two 25-30 minute halves.
- Play Clock: Sometimes, a play clock is used, and instead of a running game clock, coaches will stop the clock after each play or set a specific number of plays per period. This allows for more detailed coaching and adjustments between series.
- Halftime: A break for halftime is usually included, allowing players to hydrate, receive coaching feedback, and rest.
The Role of the Game Clock
The use of a game clock usage is a critical differentiator in scrimmage length.
Scrimmages with a Game Clock
When a game clock is utilized, the scrimmage will more closely align with an actual football match duration.
- Simulating Game Flow: The clock runs down, and teams must manage the time, similar to a real game. This includes situations like running out the clock, using timeouts, and executing two-minute drills.
- Predictable End Time: This approach provides a more predictable end time for the scrimmage, making scheduling easier.
- Quarter and Half Lengths: If a game clock is used, it’s often set to the standard football quarter length (e.g., 15 minutes in college and NFL, 12 minutes in high school) and includes a halftime break. This means the actual playing time, excluding stoppages, will be closer to the official football game duration.
Scrimmages Without a Game Clock
Conversely, some coaches opt for a play-count-based approach, which can lead to longer or shorter durations depending on the pace of play.
- Play-Based Progression: Instead of time, coaches might aim for a specific number of offensive plays for each unit (e.g., 20 plays for the first-team offense against the first-team defense).
- Flexibility in Pace: This allows teams to run plays at their own pace, and the scrimmage ends when the play count is met or when coaches feel they’ve seen enough.
- Potential for Extended Play: If plays are quick and efficient, the scrimmage might end sooner. If there are many stoppages or longer play calls, it can extend. This approach is often used when the primary goal is to get a high volume of repetitions.
Timed Football Drills Within Scrimmages
Beyond the overall duration, individual timed football drills within a scrimmage are crucial for specific player and team development.
Specific Drill Timings
Coaches often incorporate drills that have their own inherent timing mechanisms to simulate game pressure.
- Two-Minute Drills: These are highly common, where the offense has a set amount of time (e.g., two minutes) to score a touchdown, much like the end of a half or game. The game clock usage is critical here.
- Red Zone Situations: Practicing within the red zone might involve a specific number of plays or a time limit to see how effectively the team can score from close range.
- Situational Football: Coaches may call specific scenarios (e.g., third-and-long, goal-line stand) and assign a limited number of plays or a time constraint to practice these critical moments.
Pre-Season Game Length vs. Scrimmage Length
It’s important to distinguish between a scrimmage and a pre-season game length. While both are tune-ups, pre-season games are official contests with stricter rules and durations.
Key Differences
- Official Status: Pre-season games are official, on-the-record games that count towards team statistics and player evaluations for roster decisions. Scrimmages are practice sessions.
- Rules Adherence: While scrimmages often mimic game rules, pre-season games adhere to them strictly, including football overtime rules if necessary.
- Officials: Pre-season games are officiated by certified referees, whereas scrimmages might use a reduced crew or rely on coaches to manage the flow.
- Player Exposure: Pre-season games provide a more public platform for players to showcase their abilities to a wider audience, including media and fans.
Comparing to the Full Football Match Duration
To fully grasp scrimmage length, it helps to compare it to the football match duration of an actual game.
Official Game Timings
- NFL: Four 15-minute quarters. Total playing time is 60 minutes. However, with stoppages, the actual time from kickoff to the final whistle is typically around 3 hours.
- NCAA (College Football): Four 15-minute quarters. Total playing time is 60 minutes. Actual game time is usually 3 to 3.5 hours.
- High School Football: Typically four 12-minute quarters. Total playing time is 48 minutes. Actual game time can range from 2 to 2.5 hours.
Scrimmages, being practice sessions, will often aim to get a significant portion of this football game duration in, but the exact time is negotiable based on practice needs.
Sample Scrimmage Schedule (Hypothetical)
Here’s a potential breakdown of how a college football scrimmage might be scheduled:
| Time Slot | Activity | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00 AM – 9:15 AM | Team Warm-up | 15 minutes | General stretching and conditioning. |
| 9:15 AM – 9:30 AM | Position Group Drills | 15 minutes | Specific drills for offense, defense, special teams. |
| 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM | Quarter 1 (15 mins playing time) | ~30 minutes | Includes stoppages and changeovers. |
| 10:00 AM – 10:05 AM | Break | 5 minutes | Short rest. |
| 10:05 AM – 10:35 AM | Quarter 2 (15 mins playing time) | ~30 minutes | Focus on situational plays. |
| 10:35 AM – 10:55 AM | Halftime Break | 20 minutes | Hydration, coaching feedback. |
| 10:55 AM – 11:25 AM | Quarter 3 (15 mins playing time) | ~30 minutes | Often used for younger players to get reps. |
| 11:25 AM – 11:30 AM | Break | 5 minutes | Quick rest. |
| 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Quarter 4 (15 mins playing time) | ~30 minutes | Includes end-of-game scenarios, two-minute drills. |
| 12:00 PM – 12:15 PM | Cool-down and Team Review | 15 minutes | Stretching, brief coach feedback on the field. |
Total Estimated Time: Approximately 3 hours 15 minutes.
This sample illustrates how a scrimmage can easily extend to match the football game duration of an official contest, especially when aiming for comprehensive practice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many plays are run in a football scrimmage?
The number of plays can vary wildly. Some coaches focus on a timed approach (e.g., four 15-minute quarters), while others aim for a specific number of plays for each unit (e.g., 20-25 plays for the first offense against the first defense). A typical scrimmage might see anywhere from 80 to 150 plays run in total, depending on these factors.
Is a scrimmage the same as a practice game?
Yes, the terms “scrimmage” and “practice game” are often used interchangeably in football. Both refer to an informal game played between two teams during the practice period, usually before the official season begins, to prepare for actual competition.
Can a scrimmage go into overtime?
While not common, a coach could choose to implement football overtime rules in a scrimmage if they want to practice overtime scenarios. However, since it’s a practice session, they are not obligated to follow official overtime procedures and can simply extend play if deemed beneficial.
What is the purpose of a football scrimmage?
The primary purposes of a football scrimmage are:
- To evaluate player performance in a game-like setting.
- To test and refine offensive and defensive schemes and play-calling.
- To provide game experience for players, especially newcomers.
- To identify areas of strength and weakness for further practice.
- To build team chemistry and competitiveness.
How long is a high school football scrimmage?
High school scrimmages are generally shorter than college or professional ones. They might consist of four 10-minute quarters or a set number of plays, often concluding within 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Coaches are mindful of player fatigue and academic responsibilities.
Does a scrimmage have referees?
Scrimmages may or may not have official referees. Some use a limited crew of officials, while others rely on coaches to officiate, particularly for basic calls like offsides or holding. The focus is on practice and learning, not strict rule enforcement as in an official football match duration.