Maybe a stupid question

[chicolby]

Sorry if the answer to this is really obvious, but with the potential for a uber-fast offense, it seems the defense may be on the field a lot longer than they used to be. Typically people say the longer a defense is on the field, the more tired they get. Makes sense so far.

Here's where my question comes in: Why is it that they say the longer a defense is on the field, the more worn out they get, yet the offense of the opposing team is also on the field that same amount of time, why aren't they worn out?

 

[jlb321]

more taxing playing defense than offense. There is more economy of motion/effort on offense as you know where the play is going and your responsibility. That isn't the case on defense - where everybody is running to the ball.

From a stats standpoint if your offense goes fast they are going to run more plays than a standard pace offense. Given this, the opposing offense is likely going to run more plays as well regardless of their normal pace. Your defense will face more plays - therefore yards per game, etc, etc may be skewed

 

[headcard]

Good point. It is also important to be aggressive on defense and try to force quick three and outs and TO's, so you aren't on the field all day. Stats like points per possession, turnovers, etc are more important defensive metrics than total points and total yards given up.

 

[TwinsRRUs]

Found this:

The offense does get tired too, but they can compensate for it more easily by controlling the play selection. Defenders have to be playing at 100% every play, because they never know if the ball is coming in their direction.

Offensive players can choose to conserve energy if they know they won't be involved in the play (e.g. wide receivers running slower routes on a rushing play).

Tired defenses are also noticed more easily because the cost of a tired defender is high. If there's a tired cornerback, the offense can pick on him every play, but if there's a tired wide receiver, they can just choose to run the ball or throw to another player.

In general though, it's also probably more important to compare the tiredness of the defense against the defense of the other team, not the offense. If Team A's defense is on the field for a long time, they're getting worn down much more than Team B's defense, so Team A's offense will have a tougher time scoring.
​

and this:

When an offensive lineman is pass blocking he can give up a certain amount of ground and rely on technique to re-direct a pass rusher instead of relying soley on physical exertion. In general, technique is more important to O line success while athleticism is more important to D line success.

One interesting counterexample that occurs at the end of games is how quickly wide receivers can get tired sprinting 40 yards down field, then running back to the line of scrimmage, only to be expected to sprint downfield as soon as he lines up. A defensive back in this situation can play 10 yards off the ball meaning he has less total sprinting distance during and between plays.​

 

[TheBeav815]

All about first downs. You can snap the ball with 3 seconds on the play clock but if you go 3-and-out, you aren't gonna give your defense any kind of rest.

 

[TruHusker]

Think about where each group plays. The RB is about the only person very far from the LOS and he is 4-7 yards unless you are talking spread and then it is both the QB and the RB. WR's run routes and are covered by DB's but the O will rotated WR's much more than a D will rotate DB's. Then look at how many players on D are back off the LOS more so than the O. You have the LB's, DB's and Safeties. So the group of defenders is covering a lot more ground.

It may not seem like much at first but when I played BB I was a point guard and played out front. Occasionally I would play down low and I could believe how much tired I got just with those few extra steps on O an D at both ends of the court. It adds up.

Finally, all of the stuff I have read about the spread is how it puts as much mental pressure on you. The safety comes up, stays back, etc. So the mental part of making reads constantly on every play and making false steps and trying to catch up eventually catches up to you. The Oregon O at one time led the nation in number of their plays that got stuffed for a loss but at the same time had a great overall yards gained. So there is a certain all or nothing where the D is feast of famine.