College Football/Overtime

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Expert: - 11/22/2006


Question
During overtime the ball is placed on the 20 yard line and the team is give ONLY 4 chances to get into the end zone...RIGHT, does that mean even if they go 10 yards they don't get a 1st down?

Thank You,
Melissa

Answer
 Melissa   I hope this answered your question and you have a good understanding of OT.
Take care,

Victor Winnek
Football Official
NCAA Football Officials Instructor


Melissa,
Thanks for your question.  Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving. I am referring to NCAA rules: First in Overtime (OT) the ball starts on the 25 yard line not the 20.  Then it is regular football from there - in essences.  In theory a team could get 12 plays to attempt a score barring no penalties.  

They do not only get 4 chances to score, they get four downs to score or make a first down.  If they achieve the line to gain they get another 4 downs.

They can score by either a touchdown or field goal.  Then the other team gets their chance from the 25 yardline.  Each team gets one OT series.  If it is still tied after each team gets their series, a new overtime period with begin from the 25 yard line.


I believe there are High school OT rules that may start on the 10 yard line and a team only gets 4 chances to score.

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Vic Winnek

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Will Answer all queries RE: Rules of Football - NCAA & Federation; Officiating; Instruction on Football; Mechanics & application of rules; Setting up Instructional programs and clinics for: Officials, coaches and media; Liability Issues (Legal & Insurance questions)arising from coaching, playing, refereeing, product liability. Serve as an Consultant and Expert Witness in Football Related Matters in Tort and Contract (Standard of Care for: officials, coaches, players, assignors, BOD; Player, equipment, field & stadium Safety; Fee issues, independant contractor workers compensation. History of the College football game -its evolution. MY PURPOSE IS TO INFORM & EDUCATE FANS, MEDIA, THOSE INTERESTED IN FOOTBALL ABOUT: THE RULES, THEIR APPLICATION, PHILOSOPHIES; OFFICIATING; LEGAL ISSUES INVOLVING FOOTBALL. I WILL NOT RESPOND TO BASHING OF TEAMS, COACHES OR OFFICIALS. I will not dignify rude or disparaging comments with a response, nor entertain questions that use profanity or questions that suggest Football officials are corupt, such an insinuation is ridiculous and ludicrous.

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24 years officiating High School & College football, NCAA Referee, Umpire, Back Judge & Line Judge 2 years Arena Football-substitution official Instructor of NCAA & Federation Officials, Played prep and college football; coached High School football; Athletic trainer; 23 years of instruction in Officiating Football

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Past President of Calif. Football Officials Assoc; Western Collegiate Football Officials Assoc.; CFOA-Long Beach Unit Board of Directors CFOA-South Bay Unit & Long Beach Unit, Pres. Executive Council of Calif. Football Officials Assoc.; CIF Presidents' Council on Officiating; Chairman Ethics Committee

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Referee Magazine; California Football Officials Assoc. Instructor's Guide; NACC Div. 1-AA football officials' clinic; CFOA instrutional materials; Articles written: Line of Scrimmage mechanics, Forward Progress, Side Line Warnings, 2006 NCAA New Timing Rules; various instructional materials, UWLA Law Review

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NCAA Div. 1 FCS & Div. III, 9 post season Bowl Games, play-offs, CIF Div. 1,2,3,5,8,9,10,12 Final, 10 years CIF Semi-finals, 19 years of CIF play-offs, California State High School Football Div. 1 Championship, Southern California Jr. College Championship, NCAA Div. III Semi-Final

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