When can timeouts be called in the NFL? What to know before the Chiefs’ playoff game

As Chiefs Kingdom grows and the team reaches for its third consecutive Super Bowl win, some of Kansas City’s newest fans may still be getting up to speed on the NFL and its rules.

Whether you’re newly on the Chiefs’ bandwagon or a Swiftie watching Taylor Swift’s boyfriend and his team, knowing some of the basics will make these playoff games easier to follow.

Here’s a quick overview of how timeouts work in the NFL.

Football games are split into two halves and each team gets three two-minute timeouts per half. The NFL refers to a timeout as any time the game clock is stopped, including half time, according to Rule 3 Section 36 Article 1 in the NFL rulebook.

These can only be called when the ball is dead, which means the ball is not in play, the ball is on the ground and a point can’t be scored.

Both head coaches and players can call the timeouts. Assistant coaches cannot call timeouts.

A timeout can be spotted if a player holds up a “T” sign, which the coach will tell a referee, or if a coach verbally says timeout.

Officials can call timeouts if someone gets injured on the field or for replays.

During timeouts, no one is allowed on the field unless a player is being switched out, or medical attention is being applied to a player. Coaches are also prohibited from the field unless attending to the injured player.

Timeouts can be used by a team strategically closer to the end of quarters or halves to save time.

This story was originally published January 15, 2025 at 3:36 PM.