Overtime rules in American football differ a lot by level. In the NFL, overtime is a timed period in which both teams are guaranteed a chance to possess the ball, after which the next score wins; regular-season games can still end in a tie, but playoff games continue until there is a winner. College football uses alternating possessions starting at the opponent’s 25-yard line, with two-point tries required from the second overtime and alternating two-point plays from the third. High school overtime generally follows an alternating-possession model from the 10-yard line, with details set by each state association. Because these rules change, always check the current rulebook.
Why overtime rules keep changing
Overtime has long been one of the most debated areas of football rules. Earlier NFL sudden-death formats allowed a team to win on the first possession of overtime, which critics felt gave too much weight to the coin toss. Leagues have since revised their rules several times to balance fairness, player safety and game length. College football also changed its format to shorten multiple-overtime games. As a result, overtime rules you remember from a few years ago may no longer apply.
Quick comparison
| Level | Format | Can it end in a tie? |
|---|---|---|
| NFL regular season | One 10-minute period; both teams get a possession, then sudden death | Yes, if still tied after the period |
| NFL playoffs | 15-minute periods; both teams get a possession, then sudden death until someone scores | No |
| College (NCAA) | Alternating possessions from the 25; two-point tries required from the 2nd OT; alternating two-point plays from the 3rd OT | No |
| High school (NFHS) | Alternating possessions, commonly from the 10-yard line; details vary by state | No, in most states |
NFL overtime in more detail
In the NFL, a coin toss before overtime decides which team gets the first choice, typically whether to receive the kickoff. Under the current rules, both teams are guaranteed an opportunity to possess the ball, even if the first team scores a touchdown on its opening drive. The main exception is a defensive score, such as a safety on the first possession, which ends the game. After each team has had a possession, if the score is still tied, the game becomes sudden death and the next score of any kind wins.
In the regular season, overtime is a single 10-minute period, and if neither team is ahead when it ends, the game is recorded as a tie. Each team usually has two timeouts in regular-season overtime. In the playoffs, overtime periods are 15 minutes, and play continues through additional periods until there is a winner, with a break between certain periods similar to halftime or the end of a quarter. The NFL applied the guaranteed-possession rule to the playoffs first and later extended it to the regular season.
College overtime in more detail
College football uses a shootout-style format without a game clock. A coin toss decides who chooses first, and the winner usually chooses to play defense first so they know what they need to score. Each team gets one possession starting at the opponent’s 25-yard line, and a possession ends with a score, a turnover or a failure to gain a first down. If the score is still tied after both teams have had the ball, another overtime begins, with teams alternating who starts on offense.
| College overtime | What happens |
|---|---|
| First overtime | Each team gets a possession from the 25; after a touchdown, teams may kick or try for two |
| Second overtime | Teams must attempt a two-point conversion after a touchdown |
| Third overtime and beyond | Teams alternate single two-point plays from the 3-yard line instead of full possessions |
Each team usually has one timeout per overtime period. The two-point shootout format was introduced to shorten games that previously ran for many overtimes.
High school overtime
High school rules in the United States are published by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), and most states follow its overtime model, often called the Kansas plan. Each team gets a possession starting at the opponent’s 10-yard line, with alternating possessions until one team leads after both have had the ball. Some state associations modify the rules, for example by changing the starting yard line or adding mandatory two-point attempts after several overtimes. Youth leagues often set their own rules. Coaches, players and fans should check their state association’s current rules.
Step by step: understanding an overtime situation
- Identify the level and competition. NFL regular season, NFL playoffs, college and high school all differ.
- Note the coin toss result. It decides who chooses to go first or receive.
- Track possessions. In the NFL and college, both teams usually get the ball before sudden death applies.
- Watch for required two-point tries in later college and some high school overtimes.
- Check the clock. NFL overtime is timed; college and high school overtime is not.
A brief history of football overtime
For much of its history, football had no overtime at all, and tied games simply ended as ties. The NFL introduced sudden-death overtime for the regular season in 1974, having used it in championship and playoff games before that. Under the original format, the first team to score in any way won. Over time, concerns grew that winning the coin toss gave a major advantage, since a team could win with a field goal on the opening drive. The league first changed the playoff rules so that a field goal on the first possession no longer ended the game, then later adopted guaranteed possessions for both teams, first in the playoffs and then in the regular season. College football did not use overtime until the mid-1990s, when it adopted the alternating-possession format from the 25-yard line, and later added required two-point attempts and two-point shootouts to shorten long games.
Strategy in overtime
Overtime creates unique strategic decisions. In college and high school, teams often prefer to play defense first so they know whether they need a field goal or a touchdown. In the NFL, the team that receives first can plan its drive knowing the opponent will get a chance to answer, which may encourage more aggressive fourth-down decisions. Late in NFL overtime, teams must also manage the clock, since running out of time in the regular season leads to a tie. Kickers become especially important, as long field goals often decide games.
Common misconceptions
- First score always wins in the NFL. Under current rules, both teams are guaranteed a possession except in rare cases such as a safety.
- NFL games cannot end in a tie. Regular-season games can end tied; playoff games cannot.
- College overtime is timed. It uses possessions and plays, not a clock.
- High school overtime is the same everywhere. Many states modify the standard rules.
Rulebook note: overtime rules are updated frequently. This article summarizes current formats in general terms and is not an official rulebook. For exact rules, check the current NFL Rulebook, NCAA Football Rules or your state association’s version of the NFHS Football Rules.
Frequently asked questions
How long is NFL overtime?
Regular-season overtime is one 10-minute period, while playoff overtime uses 15-minute periods until there is a winner.
Where does college overtime start?
Each possession starts at the opponent’s 25-yard line, with two-point plays from the 3-yard line used from the third overtime.
Can a football game end in a tie?
NFL regular-season games can end in a tie, but NFL playoff, college and most high school games continue until there is a winner.
