overtime

sports

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Last updated

July 1, 2026

Quick Summary

Overtime is an extra period of play used in sports to break ties when a game concludes with an equal score after regulation time. The specific rules for overtime vary by sport and league.1

In ice hockey, overtime periods are typically played as "sudden death," meaning the first team to score wins. If the game remains tied after the overtime period, a shootout may occur to determine the winner.2

American football also uses overtime to resolve ties. In the NFL, a "modified sudden death" system is employed, where teams have an opportunity to possess the ball at least once unless the receiving team scores a touchdown on its first possession. If neither team scores, it reverts to sudden death.3

Soccer, or football outside North America, may use "extra time," consisting of two 15-minute periods, if a knockout match is tied after regulation.4

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ice hockey
Rules and principles of play
…unless the rules stipulate an overtime period to serve as a tiebreaker. In the case of a tie in college hockey, one 10-minute sudden-death overtime period is played in regular season play. NHL teams play a five-minute sudden-death overtime period, followed by a shoot-out if the game remains tied. During…
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…unless the rules stipulate an overtime period to serve as a tiebreaker. In the case of a tie in college hockey, one 10-minute sudden-death overtime period is played in regular season play. NHL teams play a five-minute sudden-death overtime period, followed by a shoot-out if the game remains tied. During…
Read More