NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel announces changes to overtime in football games
The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel on Thursday announced changes that will go into effect for the 2021 football season, the most significant of which will expedite the overtime process.
The so-called two-point shootout, in which teams alternate running two-point plays until a winner is determined, will now begin in the third overtime session instead of the fifth. The first two overtime periods will continue to consist of drives starting at the opponent’s 25-yard line, but now a two-point try must be attempted after a touchdown in the second overtime.
“This rules change is being made to limit the number of plays from scrimmage and bring the game to a quicker conclusion,” the NCAA release stated. “Teams can still choose whether to kick the point after touchdown or run a 2-point conversion play during the first overtime period.”
In other actions, the panel permanently extended the sideline team areas to the 20-yard lines. This area was extended from the 25 to the 15 last season to facilitate social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The panel also noted that points of emphasis this season will focus on taunting, enforcement of player uniform rules and automatically penalizing coaches for unsportsmanlike conduct for entering the field or leaving the team area to debate an official’s call.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NCAA panel changes overtime rules for football games
