NFL introduces new playoff overtime rules

January 10th, 2012 - 12:11 am ICT by Aishwarya Bhatt  

New York, Jan 9 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Football fans will do themselves a whole lot of good if they learn about the new playoff overtime rules from the NFL. The league’s regulatory body says the new rule affects postseason matches.

The rule started during the last playoffs but the games did not present the scenario for the rules to be implemented. An overtime occurs when two teams are tied at the same score at the end of the regular time.

Going into the overtime, both teams are bound by the new rules. The game however ends when either side scores first. With the score of a score, the match ends based on the sudden-death rule.

According to the NFL, the new rule is a “modified system of determining the winner shall prevail when the score is tied at the end of regulation for postseason NFL games. The system guarantees each team a possession or the opportunity to possess, unless the team that receives the opening kickoff scores a touchdown on its initial possession.”

The center referee will determine who restarts the overtime game by tossing a coin. The away team’s captain will be the first to choose a side of the coin. No disqualified player is allowed to play during the overtime play.

By possession, the NFL means a team having total control of the ball. Opportunity to possess is when the game is being restarted.

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