2007-01-16 09:06:02 · 16 answers · asked by Jaime L 3 in Sports ➔ Football (American)
For the guy above me - I don't think copying and pasting from Wikipedia is really much of an answer.
The first guy is right.
Before the days of the stadium clock being official, the time remaining in a game was kept by an on-field official, which made it difficult for teams to know exactly how much time was left. Therefore, the two-minute warning was created as just that - a chance to make the teams aware that there are only two minutes left in the game.
It seems like a little bit of an outdated notion now, but it will probably stick around for two reasons. First, it can serve as a "free" timeout for teams. Secondly, it's another chance for the networks to sell ad spots.
2007-01-16 09:13:29 · answer #1 · answered by Craig S 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This event dates from the days in the NFL when the official game time was kept by a member of the officiating crew, with the stadium clock being unofficial (as is still the case with international soccer, for example). Its purpose was a checkpoint to ensure that the teams knew how much time remained in the game. Since the late 1960s the NFL stadium clock has been official, but by then television was an important factor in the NFL. So the two-minute warning was retained as a commercial break and to serve as "tension building" time, and thus has become an important part of the game's flow.
The two-minute warning in the fourth quarter is an important milestone in the game for a team that is in the lead and looking to run out the clock. If the leading team has the ball on first down with less than two minutes to go in the game and the opposing team has no timeouts remaining, the quarterback can often safely end the game by "taking a knee" three times in succession without risking injuries or turnovers. This is because at the end of each play, the offensive team can take up to 40 seconds to start running the next play.
2007-01-16 09:12:45 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
The two minute drill stops the clock without anyone having to use a timeout. It is a huge advantage for the team that has less points. Because the team with more points is always trying to run the clock out. Which is bad for the audiance. Think of basketball. At the end of basketball games the losing team starts fouling to stop the clock so they have more time to come back and win. It works sometimes, but it's boring for the crowd. Football used to be that way until they started the two minute warning, giving the losing team a little more time, and making it more fun to watch.
2007-01-16 09:18:04 · answer #3 · answered by Tim 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's to let the QB and the offense to know that they need to step up their game and can win the game. Also during the 2 minute warning comes at the end of the 2nd and 4th quarter so that the teams know that its almost the end of the quarters and need to become proficient and is an emergancy situation.
2007-01-16 09:41:52 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Originally, it was used because there was no game clock in the stadium and the officials had to keep track of the time. They stopped the clock with 2 minutes left to let the teams know how much time remained. Today, it is mainly in place because of tradition and because it gives TV and radio stations a chance to run more ads.
2016-03-14 06:46:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably the same reason why they wave the final lap flag in auto racing. If you're behind this is your last chance as in if you're losing the game and have the ball, you'd better move it. And if you're in the lead, just maintain your position as in if you've got the ball and are winning, get another first down and don't fumble or throw an interception.
2007-01-16 09:42:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To warn that there is two minutes left in the game and for the teams to have an automatic final timeout.
2007-01-16 09:19:05 · answer #7 · answered by ME 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a free time out to help build drama for the ending of the game. Also serves as a convenient way to slip in more commercials on tv to juice up broadcast income.
2007-01-16 09:56:31 · answer #8 · answered by Tee Double You 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To warn the players that there's 2 minutes left.
2007-01-16 09:08:25 · answer #9 · answered by #2 DB 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
i think theres a couple purposes...
1. to warn the teams that time is running out.
2. for teams that are trying to drive down the field for a potential game-winning TD or field goal, i think its for the teams to know that its time to switch to the two-minute offense (two-minute drill)
hope this helps
2007-01-16 09:11:33 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋