Football: VHSL Updates Tie-Breaking Procedure

(Oct. 17, 2011) - Ever wonder about what exactly the rules are when two football teams are tied at the end of regulation? Well, the Virginia High School League has recently updated its tie-breaking procedure.

The VHSL Legislative Council has adopted the following procedure to be used to resolve ties in all VHSL football games. Please review and retain in the event your school is involved in the football playoff series. This method is also included in the National Federation Football Rule Book under the heading "Resolving Tied Games." For interpretations of this procedure see rule book. If any VHSL game ends in a tie, the tie shall be resolved by the following procedure:


1. When the score is tied at the end of the fourth quarter, the referee will instruct both teams to return to their respective team boxes. There will be a three-minute intermission during which both teams may confer with their coaches.

2. All officials will assemble at the 50 yardline, review the procedure and advise the team of the number of time-outs remaining.

3. The visiting team captain shall be given the privilege of calling the coin while it is in the air. The winner of the toss shall be given his choice of defense or offense or of designating which end of the field the ball will be put in play.

4. To start the overtime, the offensive team shall put the ball in play first and goal on B's 10-yard line anywhere between the inbounds line. Team A shall have a series of four downs. The series shall be terminated by any score of A or if B has possession at the end of any down. Team A shall be awarded a new series when:
(a) the penalty for defensive pass interference or roughing the kicker (or holder) is accepted; or (b) team A recovers a scrimmage-kick (field goal attempt) between the goal lines after it has been touched first by B beyond the neutral zone.

5. If team A scores a touchdown, it is entitled to the opportunity to try for point, except when it is unnecessary to break the tie. A field-goal attempt is permitted during any down. If the defensive team gains possession by recovering a fumble or intercepting a pass, the ball becomes dead immediately and A's series is ended.

6. If team A has completed its series, team B will become the offensive team with the ball in its possession at the10-yard line anywhere between the inbounds lines. The same end of the field will be used for both possessions in order to insure equal game conditions and conserve time.

7. The team scoring the greater number of points in the overtime shall be declared the winner. The final score shall be determined by totaling all points scored by each team during the regulation and overtime periods.

8. If the score remains tied after each team has been given one series, the procedure shall be repeated until a winner is determined. There will be an intermission of 2 minutes during which the loser of the coin-toss will be given first choice of the options. If additional periods are required, first choice of options will be alternated.

9. Each team shall be permitted one time-out during each overtime period.

10. All game rules will apply except:
a. The line-to-gain shall always be the goal line.
b. No extra try will be made if the winner of the game has been determined.
c. If team B scores a safety the game is ended.
d. If team B gains possession, the down and series for A ends immediately.
e. No free-kick privileges are awarded following a fair catch or an awarded fair catch.
f. The field clock does not run in the overtime period(s).