Simplify OT Playoff Rules or rule explanation?

[FredFan7]

Is there a way to simplify the OT rules explanation? Fundamentally, I understand the rules - first possession FG can't win the game. It just takes a darn long time to explain and highlight the exceptions.

Do you think the front office will come up with a proscribed explanation to help the referees next year?

Suggestions welcome!

[zebrablog]

"We are about to enter modified sudden death. Only in the case where the first possession of overtime yields a field goal, the opposing team must be given an opportunity to possess the ball, if it hasn't yet had that opportunity. In all other instances, we are in standard sudden death" Then explain the three timeouts, replay from the booth, timing rules, etc.

And, if there is a quirk, like an overtime begining with a successful onside kick, then open the mic and explain that we are now in regular sudden death.

Although, if I could change the rule, the explanation would be either:

• "The overtime period will begin at the fourth-quarter dead-ball spot."
  
• "Since the Giants were the last team in the lead, they have won the option to start overtime. Captain, what is your choice?" [receive, goal defend, defer, or (yes) kick]
  

[FredFan7]

Gentlemen, we will now have overtime to break the tie. This will be the only coin toss. We will switch goals after every 15-minute quarter. Regular timing rules are in effect. Each team gets three timeouts. All replay challenges will be initiated by the booth - no coaches challenges.

We will have different rules for ending the game.

If a touchdown is scored at any time, the game is over.

If a safety is scored at any time, the game is over. (right?)

If a team takes the opening possession of overtime and scores a field goal, the game is NOT over. The other team gets a chance to possess the ball. If that team scores a tying field goal, we play on in sudden death. If that team fails to score on their possession or scores a touchdown, the game is over.

Any NFL white hats are welcome to steal FF7's instructions! That is, if I got it right!

[zebrablog]

Jan 23, 2012 12:43:47 GMT -5 FredFan7 said:

If a safety is scored at any time, the game is over. (right?)

Correct!

[mike]

I believe this covers everything:

Gentelmen, as there is a tie score at the end of regulation we will now go to overtime

Should the receiving team recover the kickoff and score a field goal on its first possession the kicking team will be given an opportunity to possess the ball. If the first score is made in any other manner, the game is over

If both teams have had an opportunity to possess the ball and the score remains tied we will go to sudden death

Regular timing rules are in effect except all replays will be initiated by the booth

[JugglingReferee]

Jan 23, 2012 13:39:19 GMT -5 mike said:

I believe this covers everything:

Gentelmen, as there is a tie score at the end of regulation we will now go to overtime

Should the receiving team recover the kickoff and score a field goal on its first possession the kicking team will be given an opportunity to possess the ball. If the first score is made in any other manner, the game is over

If both teams have had an opportunity to possess the ball and the score remains tied we will go to sudden death

Regular timing rules are in effect except all replays will be initiated by the booth

This.

[FredFan7]

Jan 23, 2012 13:39:19 GMT -5 mike said:

I believe this covers everything:

Gentelmen, as there is a tie score at the end of regulation we will now go to overtime

Should the receiving team recover the kickoff and score a field goal on its first possession the kicking team will be given an opportunity to possess the ball. If the first score is made in any other manner, the game is over

If both teams have had an opportunity to possess the ball and the score remains tied we will go to sudden death

Regular timing rules are in effect except all replays will be initiated by the booth

I like this one better than my own!

[mike]

What can I say, my legal training taught me well. That and I had a professor in undergrad who was strict about page count (if he said two pages he would rip off everything beyond the second page and only grade you on what you wrote in those two pages)

[timdaye]

How will you all ever get Ed down to just 95 words?

[Deleted]

I would just make it to where each team had a possession and who ever leads after that possession wins and if tied then it goes to sudden death.

[melkaman8200]

I thought Ron Winter did a good job with the explaination at the Wild Card game.

But as far as the rules themselves are concerned, here's what I would change.

I would use a system similar to college, but still a bit different.

First of all, no field goal kicks allowed, you have to go for touchdowns.

Each team gets equal number of possessions, and the winner would be whoever was ahead at the end of a set of possessions or at the end of the fifteen minute OT period.
(I would not have each set of possessions be an OT period, like college does, OT would be timed like the 4th Quarter).

The rules would not change between the regular season and the playoffs, except that you obviously need a winner in a playoff game, so if it's still tied at the end of the 15 minute OT, then 2OT would start, just like they do now.

Basically, my only change to the system would be equal possessions and no FG, although that last part may prove to be problematic. The timing rules would stay the same.

And by the way, the OT period can end on an unequal possession. If the 15 minutes are up and you are still "owed" a possession, you're just out of luck.

[I've been warned]

"Gentlemen, the rules for overtime in a playoff game were adopted by your team owners and communicated to your coaches last summer. Let's play some more."