take a knee
What Is The Definition Of Take A Knee?
1. This refers to when the quarterback snaps the ball and immediately takes a knee behind the center in order to run out the clock. By taking a knee, it automatically ends the play forcing the other team to take a timeout, if they have any left, in order to stop the clock.
Examples Of How Take A Knee Is Used In Commentary
1. With the lead intact, Brady snaps the ball and takes a knee to run out the clock and preserve the win.
SportsLingo Goes The Extra-Inch With The Meaning Of Take A Knee
Kneeling, or taking a knee, is an offensive strategy by the team with the lead to run out the clock and eventually win the game. This is only affective if the team kneels when the opposing team does not have any timeouts left to stop the clock. By kneeling and not running a play, the offensive reduces the chances of a turnover and therefore minimizes their opponent’s chances of scoring. Teams will also take a knee before halftime, regardless of the score, if they feel that the risk of running a play is greater than kneeling. If a team feels that they can’t at least get a field goal before time expire, then they will elect to take a knee.
During the NFL preseason of 2016, the term take a knee also took on a new meaning. San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick sat and later kneeled during the national anthem, when it was customary to at least stand. Kaepernick kneeled during the national anthem to silently protest the racial inequality and police brutality that was occurring around the country, particularly towards African-American citizens. This has since sparked athletes from the NFL and other sports to also silently protest during the national anthem. While most athletes take a knee during the national anthem, others have locked arms with teammates or have expressed their protest in their own unique ways.
Sport The Term Is Used
1. Football
Also Known As:
1. Kneel
