Region One Football Officials Association Rule Topics: Overtime We Are All Here to Learn

TSSAA OVERTIME RULES & PROCEDURES

Overtime Background NFHS gives state associations authority to establish procedures for resolving games tied after the 4th quarter (Table 1-7-9, 3-1-1 Note) TSSAA has adopted the recommended procedure - without exception Procedure is in rule book (pages 83-85) Suggest you read the scenarios after this study session

Procedure If 4th quarter ends in tie, Referee sends both teams to their benches 3 minute intermission Crew meets at 50-yd line – determines if there are any carry over penalties (succeeding spot fouls) Examples: foul by ‘B’ on successful try, or unsportsmanlike foul after try No unused timeouts carry over to overtime Linesman & Line Judge take that info to the coaches on their respective sidelines Scrimmage play, ECO take position opposite the down marker

Coin Toss (The One and Only) Normal coin toss mechanics & positions Visiting captain calls the toss Winner of the toss has the following options: Offense or defense The end of the field we will play this period Loser of the toss gets the remaining option R indicates winner by tapping shoulder, lines up teams in the appropriate direction, & designates offense by signaling 1st down

Clock/Time Outs All downs are untimed—no game clock, but still have 25 second clock Each team gains 1 time-out per overtime period Unused time-out do not carry-over from 4th quarter or any over-time period Time outs are credited as soon as period starts

Intermissions Intermission between 4th quarter & overtime, & between each successive overtime period, is the equivalent of half time as far as an injured player is concerned (3-5-10a) A player sent off for an injury on the last down on the 4th period can play in the 1st overtime period There is no intermission between an overtime try, field goal, or safety and the next series (since there is no free kick) (3-5-7L)

Line to Gain Unless moved by penalty, ‘A’ has the ball 1st & goal from B’s 10-yd line ‘A’ may designate where snap will take place from between the hashmarks (4-3-6g) The line to gain is ALWAYS the goal line, so we do not need the sticks, just the down box - This is true even if ‘A’ gets another 1st down. Case Study: On 1st & 2nd downs, quarterback is sacked for losses. On 3rd down, ‘A’ snaps from B’s 25. B1 commits roughing the passer foul & pass is incomplete. Ruling: ‘A’ 1st & goal @B-12 ½

Series ‘A’ starts with a series of 4 downs Once A’s series is over, ‘B’ gets a series of 4 downs, 1st & goal from the 10 (unless moved by penalty) at the designated end of the field (same end ‘A’ was at) The 2 series comprise an overtime period When ‘B’ gets possession, the ball is dead & A’s series is over ‘B’ can never advance fumble, muff, interception, or kick If ‘A’ scores a safety, A’s series is over, B gets ball on 10 yard line, temporary score is A-2, B-0

Other Overtime Rules PSK does not apply, per overtime note 10-4- 3 (p.84) No try is attempted if the winner of the game has been determined

New Series for ‘A’ Occurs If: Team ‘A’ recovers scrimmage kick (field goal attempt) between goal lines after it has first been touched by defensive team beyond the neutral zone (OT 5-2-1a) Penalty w/ automatic 1st down is accepted (OT 5-2-1b - 4 roughing fouls) Will still be 1st & goal, no matter what yard line

Game Is Over If: The score is no longer tied after the end of an overtime period (series for both teams) ‘B’ scores a safety or touchdown: (each scenario starts out w/ “A has 6 unsportsmanlike conduct fouls & is back at their own 10 yd line”) A’s backward pass or fumble goes out of their end zone, ‘B’ scores a safety A1 throws from his own end zone & B1 intercepts the pass in the end zone, TD for ‘B’ Foul by ‘A’ in their own end zone, ‘B’ scores safety

Successive Periods 2 minute intermission, send teams to their benches Get captains at the 50-yd line Loser of the one and only coin toss has the first choice of options: Offense or defense End of the field to play this period Choices continue to rotate for next periods Winner of original toss has the call on all odd-numbered periods, loser on all even-numbered periods Each team is awarded 1 time-out for the new overtime period (no carry-overs)

Case Study During the first series of an overtime period, ‘A’ has ball 4th & goal from the 10-yd line. A1 runs to the 5-yd line & completes pass for TD. Ruling: Illegal forward pass, No score, loss of down, ‘B’ starts new series 1st & 10 from the 10-yd line.

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