Football is a game that is enjoyed by many of all ages. Football rules change based on the age level and talent level that is being played.
At each level the rules are quite different when it comes to the end of a game. Ties can happen at some ages and levels, although not always common. Most levels do have overtime, which also varies quite a bit.
Can Football Games End in a Tie?
It depends! In the NFL a tie is possible, while at the college and high school level in many conferences or associations a game cannot end in a tie. The formats often vary by the level of play.
This is one of the topics that varies greatly based on the level of play.
Below I will dive deep into the differences between youth football, high school football, college football, and NFL football.
Can an NFL game end in a tie?
The NFL rules for overtime have changed several times in the last 30 years. An NFL game can end in a tie, but before a tie is determined, an overtime period does take place.
It is important to also note that regular season games are the only games that can end in a tie. During the playoffs, NFL games are played out until a winner is decided.
What Are the Rules for Overtime in the NFL?
At the end of regulation, if an NFL game is tied, there is an overtime period in an attempt to determine the winner.
- At the end of regulation, the referee will toss a coin to determine which team will possess the ball first in overtime. The visiting team captain will call the toss.
- No more than one 10-minute period will follow a three-minute intermission. Each team must possess, or have the opportunity to possess, the ball. The exception: if the team that gets the ball first scores a touchdown on the opening possession.
- Sudden death play — where the game ends on any score (safety, field goal or touchdown) — continues until a winner is determined.
- Each team gets two timeouts.
- The point after try is not attempted if the game ends on a touchdown.
- If the score is still tied at the end of the overtime period, the result of the game will be recorded as a tie.
- There are no instant replay coach’s challenges; all reviews will be initiated by the replay official.
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Overtime Rules in the NFL During Post Season Play
During the postseason, overtime will continue as stated above until a winner is declared.
There are many people that believe that there should be a winner determined at the end of regular season games as well. Each year the NFL reviews all rules and it could be in the near future that we will see regular season games having a creative style of overtime rules, like college football has.
Can College Football Games End in a Tie?
No, the format has been created to play until there is a winner. Each team will get an possession in each portion of the overtime until there is a winner.
The rules below explain how overtime is conducted. These rules apply for both regular season and postseason.
College football is constantly changing as far as overtime goes. Different from the NFL, college games can not end in a tie, even during the regular season. College football has tried to reduce the number of plays that teams run, in order to determine a winner sooner than previously.
- Coin toss will decide who gets the ball first, which direction teams will be playing toward (teams will alternate getting ball first in OT periods, as norm)
- First overtime: Teams start at opponents’ 25-yard line, have choice of extra point or two-point conversion
- Second overtime: Teams start at opponents’ 25-yard line, must try two-point conversion
- Third overtime and after: Teams get one play, from opponents’ 3-yard line (like a two-point conversion).
- As always, each team must possess the ball once in each overtime period. If teams are tied after that point, they will move on to another overtime period.
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Can High School Football Games End in a Tie?
No, in most states, the overtime is similar to college football where they play until there is a winner.
High School football overtime rules follow rules set by NFHS, which can be found at https://www.nfhs.org/activities-sports/football/
The rules for high school football overtime play is traditionally followed by all but one state; Texas. These rules are adopted and applied based on the NFHS guidelines.
The following procedures are applied in high school football:
- There is a 3-minute intermission period following the end of regulation
- There is a coin toss the occurs at the 50-yard line to determine who will have the first and who will defend first
- The winner of the coin toss has the choice to go on offense or defense
- The ball is placed on the 20-yard line. The offense can then try to score from the 20-yard line. They can score in any way possible.
- Once the possession is over, the opposing team will then have the opportunity to match the score or win the game, also starting from the 20-yard line
- Following a touchdown, the offense can choose to go kick for 1-point or or attempt a 2-point conversion.
This overtime period will take place until a winner is decided, and is used for the regular season and playoffs.
Can Youth Football Games End in a Tie?
Youth football varies drastically not only from state to state, but from league to league. Each league has their own set of rules.
Most common practice is to allow games to end in a tie at the youth level. This could be for a variety of reasons, but mostly as a safety precaution for younger children that play football.
Football is a contact sport, where children of all ages are exerting themselves on each play. Most leagues take the stand point that a full football game is enough for players at the youth levels.
Some states have varying rules for games that are at a tie at the end of regulation. Each state and league has their own set of rules. Some leagues choose to follow the high school overtime guidelines, while others make adjustments to this rule.
How do these Rules Impact the Style of Play?
At each level we see varying reactions to the overtime rules. Throughout the course of an NFL season, many coaches use the analytics to make decisions throughout the game. We have seen that in the NFL teams tend to go for 2-point plays more often than they used to.
In the NFL it seems that because the overtime period is quite different than high school and college, coaches are trying to avoid overtime. There are many variables that come into play during an NFL game and especially during overtime and most coaches are now trying to win games in regulation by attempting 2-point conversions.
In high school and college, it seems to be more likely for coaches to accept going to overtime, mostly because the scoring opportunity compared to overtime in the NFL is much greater.
Overtime can be enjoyable at the high school and college levels, as this is much different than the regular style of play, whereas the NFL style is very similar to the regulation play.
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Final Thoughts
Each level of play has varying rules for overtime. The NFL and youth are the two levels of play that can end in a tie during the regular season. High school and college football will always have a determined winner for each game, during reglaur and postseason play.
The varying guidelines of overtime have seen many different opinions amongst fans, players, and coaches. We have seen that the high school and college style of overtime can be very exciting to watch and also be a part of.
Some games continue on for a long time in order to determine a winner. Strategy also changes and coaches have to adjust to the varying rules that are applied. Going for 2-point conversions has become more popular nowadays, depending on a variety of factors, one being the momentum of the game.
Overall, coaches and players must adjust to these changes and rules, and adapt to the game itself along the way. Having a plan of attack is important for coaches as they enter into each game. Understanding how to approach tight games and allowing players to feel confident in the decision that is being made in the moment is one of the most important parts to these varying rules of overtime.