A tied game can turn on one possession, one fourth-down decision, or a kicker’s nerve—but the overtime rules depend on which level of football you’re watching. The NFL, college football, and high school football all use extra play to break a tie, yet they handle possessions, timing, and even the possibility of a draw differently.
When does overtime begin?
Overtime is used when the score is tied at the end of regulation. In the NFL, that means the score is level after four quarters. In college and high school games, it begins after regulation if the competition’s rules call for an overtime period. If one team leads when time expires, the game is over.
Overtime is not simply another quarter in every league. The NFL uses a timed period, while college football generally gives each team a chance to score from a set field position. High school procedures vary by state.
NFL overtime rules
Under current NFL rules, both teams are guaranteed an opportunity to possess the ball in overtime, whether the game is in the regular season or the playoffs. The teams decide who gets the first possession with a coin toss, and the winner can choose to receive, kick, or select which end of the field to defend.
The period lasts 10 minutes in the regular season and 15 minutes in the postseason. If the regular-season game is still tied when the 10 minutes expire, it ends in a tie. Playoff games cannot finish tied, so teams play additional overtime periods until there is a winner.
The first team’s opening score does not automatically settle the game. If it scores a touchdown, the other team gets a possession to respond. If the second team then scores enough to take the lead, it wins. If the game remains tied after both teams have had their opportunity, play continues under sudden-death rules: the next score decides it. A defensive score, such as a safety, can end the game immediately.
Example: Team A wins the toss and kicks a field goal on its first drive. Team B can win with a touchdown, tie with a field goal, or lose if it fails to score. If both teams kick field goals, the next score after each has had a possession wins.
The clock matters. A regular-season game can end in a tie if time runs out before a winner is decided. In the playoffs, teams keep playing in 15-minute periods instead. Coaches must weigh the clock, field position, and fourth-down risk: a team deep in opponent territory may go for it rather than settle for a field goal, knowing its opponent is still due a chance to answer.
College football overtime rules
College overtime works differently. Rather than playing a timed extra quarter, teams take turns with possessions that begin at the opponent’s 25-yard line. The team that receives the ball first is determined by a coin toss, and the teams alternate possessions until one finishes an overtime period with more points than the other.
For example, if the first team scores a touchdown and the second team answers with a field goal, the first team wins. If both teams score touchdowns, the period is tied and another begins. There is no standard game clock for these possessions, though the play clock still applies.
As overtime continues, the format changes to limit the length of games. In the second overtime, teams must attempt a two-point conversion after scoring a touchdown. Beginning with the third overtime, they alternate two-point conversion attempts instead of running full possessions from the 25-yard line. The team that scores more on those attempts wins; if both teams succeed or fail equally, they continue to another round.
This setup makes a coach’s choices especially visible. A team facing fourth-and-short near the goal line may need to consider whether to keep the drive alive or risk giving its opponent a chance to answer. In later overtimes, the game can come down to a single two-point play rather than a long drive.
How high school overtime works
High school overtime rules are set by state associations, so there is no single procedure that applies everywhere. Many states use alternating possessions from the 10-yard line, but the starting spot and details can differ. Some areas also have different rules for regular-season and playoff games, including whether a tie is allowed.
If you are watching a local game, check the state association’s rules rather than assuming it follows the college format. The basic idea is usually familiar: each team gets a chance to score, and play continues if the score remains even.
Quick comparison
| Level | How overtime works | Can the game end tied? |
|---|---|---|
| NFL regular season | Timed 10-minute period; both teams are guaranteed an opportunity to possess the ball. | Yes, if the score is tied when time expires. |
| NFL playoffs | Timed 15-minute periods; both teams get an opportunity, with more periods played if needed. | No. |
| College football | Alternating possessions begin at the opponent’s 25-yard line; later rounds use two-point attempts. | No. |
| High school | Varies by state; many use alternating possessions from the 10-yard line. | Depends on the state and competition. |
Why overtime strategy changes
In the NFL, the coin toss and the clock shape the opening plan. Receiving first can offer a chance to build an early lead, but it no longer guarantees that a touchdown ends the game. A team that kicks off may prefer to see how much time remains and what its defense can do before planning its response.
College coaches know exactly where their offense will start, which can make field position less important than execution near the scoring area. The offense can use its playbook to attack for a touchdown, while the defense has to stop a short-field drive. As the format shifts to two-point plays, a team may also choose a more aggressive call because a routine extra point is no longer part of the equation.
At any level, overtime magnifies small mistakes. A penalty can push an offense out of scoring range; a missed tackle can turn a short gain into a touchdown. That pressure is why a seemingly ordinary third-down play can become the defining moment of the game.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does every tied football game go to overtime?
Not necessarily. NFL games go to overtime if regulation ends tied. College and high school competitions generally use overtime to break a tie, but rules can depend on the competition and, especially in high school, the state association.
Can an NFL game end in a tie?
Yes. A regular-season NFL game can end in a tie if the score is still level when the 10-minute overtime period expires. Playoff games continue through additional overtime periods until a winner is decided.
Does the NFL team that scores first always win?
No. Under current rules, both teams are guaranteed an opportunity to possess the ball. If the first team scores, the second can answer, take the lead, or tie the game. After both have had their opportunity, the next score wins.
Why do college teams start overtime at the 25-yard line?
The set starting point creates a scoring opportunity without requiring a full kickoff and field-length drive. It also gives both teams a comparable chance to score, since they take alternating possessions from the same spot.
Final Thoughts
Overtime begins when regulation ends with the score tied, but the route to a winner depends on the level of play. NFL games use timed periods and may end in a regular-season tie; college games use alternating possessions and increasingly rely on two-point attempts; high school rules vary by state. Knowing which system is in force makes every overtime decision easier to follow—and every fourth-down gamble a little more compelling.
Aiden Cross is a sports writer and editor at BeliveSports, covering a broad range of sports with a focus on clear, accurate, and practical information. His work covers rules, techniques, player roles, competitions, equipment, statistics, and the details that help readers better understand how different sports are played. Aiden takes a research-driven approach to sports writing, using reliable sources and established sporting information to provide context rather than simply repeating surface-level facts. His goal is to make complex topics accessible while maintaining the accuracy and depth expected by knowledgeable sports fans. At BeliveSports, Aiden contributes to the site’s editorial standards by focusing on accuracy, clarity, useful context, and reader-first explanations.