Minutes per quarter nfl

In theory, NFL quarters last for 15 minutes each, with a halftime break of 12 minutes per quarter nfl after the first two quarters. However, the halftime. NFL games have four minute quarters, along with a minute halftime and two-minute breaks in between quarters in each half. Halftime is a. Pro football games ​last around three hours​. The regulation time is 60 minutes, divided into 15 minute quarters. Halftime, after 2 quarters. Following the second quarter, there is a minute halftime. How long do commercials last in NFL games? During NFL games, commercials make up.

How many quarters are there in a game of football?

Why do NFL games have a 2 minute warning? The NFL has had a two-minute warning since 1942; the concept was first introduced simply because officials kept the official time, not the stadium, so the stoppage let everyone know the clock situation.

Why do NFL games take so long? Unlike soccer or baseball, football is a high contact sport with many injuries and different types of extertion. They play week by to give teams and players a chance to get back. Scheduling. Few football games take less than 3 hours, and a lot go to 3½.

Why is NFL so long? Because that's the length specified within The Laws of the Game—the international rules for football. This time is often modified for lower levels of play—typically younger ages and/or older adult amateur. But the “standard” time for a match is dictated to be two 45-minute halves.

Why does the NFL do a 2 minute warning? An additional rationale for retaining the two minute warning is related to the value of television airtime at that point in the game. Television networks invariably run commercials as soon the two minute warning is called, with those slots being among the most lucrative of any in a major football telecast.

How long is 1st quarter NFL? NFL games are 60 minutes long and are split into four 15-minute quarters. If the scores are level at the end of a game, a 10-minute overtime period will be played.

Is NFL halftime 30 minutes? Most regular-season games have a halftime break running under 15 minutes. The Super Bowl's halftime will run closer to 30 minutes.

How many minutes is a quarter in NFL? 15-minute

How long is NFL 1st half? NFL games are broken down into four 15 minute quarters. In reality, a football game is supposed to last only 60 minutes. The first half of a game, which consists of two quarters is 30 minutes long. Half-time for football games last about 12 minutes before the two teams return to the field and play two more quarters.

Are NFL quarters 15 minutes? Regulation time for all NFL games is 60 minutes and each game is divided into four 15-minute quarters.

Is there a 2 minute warning for each quarter in the NFL? All NFL games have two-minute warnings, which are automatic timeouts that occur when the game clock hits the two-minute mark at the end of the second and fourth quarters. After the two-minute warning, certain clock running rules also take effect.

Why is a half in football 45 minutes? Why is football played 45 minutes each half? Initially, a football match lasted two hours, with two one-hour halves. When the Football Association was formed in the 1860s and the first official rules of football were established, the FA decided to shorten the match to 90 minutes, played in two 45-minute halves.

How long does an NFL game last? How long is halftime?

An NFL game is composed of four quarters, each lasting 15 minutes. The clock runs continuously throughout the game, but certain situations and events may cause it to stop temporarily, such as when a player goes out of bounds, during a penalty, or following a scoring play. However, due to various stoppages and breaks, the average length of an NFL game is closer to 3 hours and 12 minutes.

This duration holds true for both regular season games and playoff matches. The game comprises four quarters, amounting to a total of 60 minutes of playtime. In contrast, high school football games use minute quarters, while college and professional football share the same minute length in quarters.

During an NFL game, there are several scheduled breaks that add time to the overall game duration. Specifically, a 2-minute break occurs after the first and third quarters, allowing for commercial breaks and team discussions. More notably, there is a minute halftime break between the second and third quarters, during which players can rest, and on-field performances often take place.

It is important to note that despite an hour of actual playtime, NFL games tend to last much longer. On average, the games can stretch to approximately 3 hours and 12 minutes due to various factors, such as timeouts, penalty stoppages, and play reviews. In an NFL quarter, there are 15 minutes of game time. However, the actual time it takes to complete a quarter can differ as various factors affect the length of a football game.

In football, stoppages in play can extend the duration of a quarter. Some common factors leading to stoppages include incompletions, players running out of bounds, injuries, and penalties. For instance, when a quarterback throws an incomplete pass or the ball carrier goes out of bounds, the game clock stops until the next play commences.

Another factor affecting playtime is the number of tactical decisions made by the coaches and teams. For example, the use of timeouts and strategic plays can prolong the duration of a quarter. Teams can use up to three timeouts per half, which will stop the game clock, providing them an opportunity to regroup and adjust their gameplay. There are usually mandatory breaks at the end of the first and third quarters for advertisements.

Additionally, there are designated breaks for media revenue, which can extend the overall playtime. Minutes per quarter nfl Finally, the number and duration of official reviews can influence the length of a quarter. The NFL employs a challenge system where coaches can request a review of specific plays based on certain criteria. If a review is granted, this temporarily stops the game as the referees analyze the play and make their decision.

An NFL quarter consists of 15 minutes. However, the actual time spent playing is relatively brief, with various elements such as play clocks, timeouts, and injuries altering the game duration. The NFL employs two play clocks to manage the pace of the game. The first is a second play clock, which begins as soon as the previous play is whistled dead. The offensive team must snap the ball before the clock runs out, or they will incur a delay-of-game penalty.

Each team is allotted three timeouts per half, each lasting up to two minutes. In high school football, individual state associations can choose any overtime format they want, or even elect to not play overtime at all ties stand in this case. However, most states use the Kansas Plan. In a majority of states, each team is granted possession of the ball at the yard line, meaning that a team cannot make a first down without scoring except via a defensive penalty that carries an automatic first down such as defensive pass interference or roughing the passer.

As is the case with the college overtime rule, the team that wins the coin toss will have the choice as to whether to take the ball first or second, or decide at which end of the field the overtime will be played. The other major difference between overtime in college football and high school football is that in some states, if the defense forces a turnover, the ball is dead immediately, thus eliminating the possibility of scoring.

However, in Texas , the college overtime rule is used, as both the University Interscholastic League , which governs interscholastic activities for Texas public high schools, and the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools , the largest analogous body for Texas private high schools, play by NCAA football rules with a few modifications for the high school level.

The original incarnation of the XFL used a modified Kansas Plan which, upon the first team scoring, required the opponent to score the same or greater number of points in the same or fewer downs i. Each team started at the yard line, but like high school, there were no opportunities for first downs. The league also banned field goals except on a fourth down.

The XFL's current incarnation uses a five-round shootout of two-point conversions similar to a penalty shootout in soccer or ice hockey. Such a shootout had never been attempted in organized football at the time the rule was proposed; in April , the NCAA adopted a similar concept for games that reach quintuple overtime starting with the FBS season , two seasons later, triple overtime.

To speed up the overtime process, both teams' offense and defense are on the field at the appropriate end zone. Once one team's offense has completed its round of the shootout, the other team's offense plays its round from the opposite end zone. If both teams remain tied after five rounds, multiple rounds of conversions will be played until one team succeeds, thus ensuring that no game can end in a draw.

The United States Football League settles ties this way: teams get three at least two rounds of two-point conversions from the three-yard line. Coin toss is called by the visiting team; winner of the toss can choose to possess the ball first or defend. Whoever scores more points in the three rounds wins it; otherwise, teams play sudden-death rounds until one team scores.

One timeout can be called per overtime round. Although no game clock is used, the play clock of 35 seconds is still used. Three minutes before the start of the game, the referee meets with captains from both teams for a coin toss. The visiting team calls the toss before the coin is flipped, since The winner of the toss may defer their choice to the start of the second half, or they may take the first choice of:.

The loser of the toss gets the remaining option. Typically, if the winner of the toss defers, the loser will choose to receive the ball first. At the start of the second half, the team that did not choose first either because they deferred their choice or because they lost the toss gets the first choice of options.

If a game goes to overtime, a coin toss is held before the start of overtime, but tosses are not held before the start of subsequent overtime periods. In college, for example, the loser of the toss to start overtime has the first choice in the second overtime period. The choices available to the captains in overtime vary among the NFL, college, and various states' high school rules.

In high school, the coin toss may be held between the captains or coaches earlier before the start of the game. At three minutes before kickoff, the captains meet for a simulated coin toss, where the referee announces the results of the earlier toss. The original incarnation of the XFL did not implement a coin toss; instead, an event took place called the "opening scramble", in which one player from each team fought to recover a football 20 yards away to determine possession.

Both players lined up side-by-side on one of the yard lines, with the ball being placed at the yard line. At the whistle, the two players would run toward the ball and attempt to gain possession; whichever player gained possession first was allowed to choose possession as if he had won a coin toss in other leagues.

The XFL's current incarnation also does not feature coin tosses. Instead, the home team is given the option to kick off, receive, select a goal, or defer to the second half. In the event of overtime, the visiting team is given the choice of going first or second or selecting which end zone to attack with the home team getting the other choice.

The rules vary from the college level to the professional level. In the NFL, unless a player is tagged by an opposing player or gives himself up, he is not down. A player carrying the ball the runner is downed when any of the following occurs:. The majority of a football game takes place on plays, or downs , that begin at the line of scrimmage.

The officials spot the ball place it in a designated spot on the field on the line of scrimmage and declare it ready for play. The width of the spotted football defines the width of the neutral zone , an area of the field no player other than the snapper may position himself in or above before the snap. Each team has its own line of scrimmage, thought of as a vertical plane from sideline to sideline that passes through the point of the ball nearest its own goal line.

A typical offense is made up of a quarterback , five offensive linemen , two wide receivers , a running back , a fullback , and a tight end , however teams will vary their personnel on the field to fit any given play. A quarterback is essentially the leader of the offense. It is most often their responsibility to pass along the play called to the rest of the players in the huddle before any given play.

A quarterback is the primary ball-handler on offense. History of dallas cowboys quarterbacks It is their responsibility to call the snap count for the ball to enter play. Once the ball is hiked into play, it is their job to either hand the ball off to one of their running backs, or scout the field for an open receiver to throw the ball to. In some instances, the quarterback will run the ball themselves. A quarterback is guarded by their offensive linemen.

The offensive line is made up of a left and right tackle , a left and right guard , and a center. It is the center's responsibility to hike the ball to the quarterback. An offensive line has two different jobs. When the offense runs a pass play, it is their job to guard the quarterback from the defense that is rushing.

When the offense runs a run play, it is their job to clear a path for the running back to run through. The running back also has multiple roles. They will either take the ball from the quarterback and run, move up and help the offensive line block or go out and catch a pass. While the role of the fullback is deteriorating currently among professional leagues, it is their primary responsibility to lead the running back.

Running backs and fullbacks are sometimes also called a halfback, a wingback, or a slotback. Like the running back, the tight end also has multiple roles. They will either help the offensive line protect the quarterback, block on run plays, or run or catch the ball themselves. The wide receivers' primary role is to run out into the field of play and catch the ball, although they will also block in some instances.

The players on offense must arrange themselves in a formation , all behind their line of scrimmage that is, on their side of the ball. For reasons of safety and competitive balance, there are strict rules which define the way in which the offensive players may line up. Seven players must line up directly on the line of scrimmage while four players line up behind the line of scrimmage.

Within this formation, there are six eligible receivers who may receive a forward pass during play. These eligible receivers are either the running back, fullback, tight end, or wide receivers. The remaining five linemen, often called interior linemen do not normally handle the ball during a play. Because of these rules, various leagues of American football have enacted strict rules of uniform numbering so officials may more easily judge which players were eligible and which were not at the start of a play.

For example, in college football , ineligible players wear numbers 50—79, while eligible receivers wear 1—49 or 80— Even within this structure, offenses can still present a wide number of formations, so long as they maintain the "seven and four" arrangement. Receivers, for example, may play close to the other linemen or they may play some distance down the line of scrimmage, where they would sometimes be called split ends.

Of the four backs, they may play behind the linemen or may play "split out" to provide additional wide receivers. These additional receivers can be flankers if they play split far wide, but still in the backfield or slot receivers if they play in the "slot" between the split end and the rest of the offensive line. Minutes per quarter nfl The players on defense may arrange themselves in any manner, as long as all players are "behind the line" that is, on the side of the line nearest their own end zone.

Players who line up opposite the offensive line are called defensive linemen , usually with one or two defensive tackles in the middle a single defensive tackle is often called the nose guard or nose tackle and with one defensive end on each side. A defensive lineman's job is typically to put pressure on the opposing team's quarterback by rushing the offensive line.

The defensive line is also most often the first set of players the opponent must get through should they choose to run the ball. Behind the linemen are the linebackers. A linebacker's job can be any number of things, including trying to rush the opposing team's quarterback, stopping the opponents running back on run plays, or covering the opponent's tight end or wide receivers. Positioned opposite the wide receivers are the cornerbacks.

Their primary responsibility is to cover the wide receivers. Farthest back from the line are the safeties , usually in the middle of the field behind the linebackers. The safeties are the last line of defense against the opponent. Like a linebacker, a safety's role can vary, however, their most common role is to help the cornerbacks cover the opponent's wide receivers, which is called "double coverage".

The linemen and linebackers close to the line of scrimmage, are often referred to as playing "in the box". Players outside "the box" usually cornerbacks and safeties are collectively referred to as the "secondary". A scrimmage down begins with a snap , where the center throws or hands the ball back to one of the backs, usually the quarterback. The quarterback then either hands the ball off to a back, throws the ball, or runs with it himself.

The down ends when the ball becomes dead see below. The ball is typically next spotted where the ball became dead; however, if it became dead outside the hash marks, it is brought in on the same yard line to the nearest hash mark. This spot establishes the lines of scrimmage for the next play.

In the case of an incomplete forward pass, the ball is returned to the spot where it was last snapped to begin the next play. A fumbled ball that goes out of bounds is declared dead and possession remains with the team that most recently had control of the ball. The nearest official typically blows his whistle after the ball becomes dead to alert the players that the down has already ended.

If the ball is alive and the official sounds an inadvertent whistle , then the ball still becomes dead, but the team in possession of the ball may elect to have the down replayed or take the spot where the ball was declared dead. If the ball was loose from a fumble, then the ball can be put into play at the spot of the fumble.

If the ball was in flight from a kick or a pass, then the down is always replayed. A free kick is a down that does not occur from scrimmage. The kicking team begins behind the ball, while the receiving team must remain at least 10 yards downfield before the ball is kicked.

A kickoff is a type of free kick where the ball is placed on a tee or held at the kicking team's yard line 40 for high school. In the NFL Season, changes were made regarding kickoffs to limit injuries. The spot from which the ball is kicked was restored to the 35 yard line, bringing to an end the designation of the 30 yard line, a change meant to increase the frequency of the option to elect a touchback.

In addition, players on the kickoff coverage team apart from the kicker cannot line up more than a specified distance behind the kickoff line. This distance is 5 yards at most levels of the game and 1 yard in the NFL, minimizing running starts and thus reducing the speed of collisions. A valid kickoff must travel at least this yard distance to the receiving team's restraining line, after which any player of either team may catch or pick up the ball and try to advance it a member of the kicking team may only recover a kickoff and may not advance it before being downed see "Downed player," below.

In most cases, the ball is kicked as far as possible typically 40 to 70 yards , after which a player of the receiving team is usually able to secure possession since the members of the kicking team cannot start downfield until after the ball is kicked. Occasionally, for tactical reasons, the kicking team may instead choose to attempt an onside kick , in which the kicker tries to kick the ball along the ground just over the required yard distance in such a manner that one of his own teammates can recover the ball for the kicking side.

If it is touched before ten yards, the ball is dead and a re-kick or spot of the ball will be rewarded to the receiving team. A member of the receiving team gaining possession of the ball on a kickoff may attempt to advance it as far as he can toward the kicking team's goal line before being downed.

Once the ball carrier is downed, the play is whistled dead and the ball is placed by the officials at the point where the play ended; this spot then becomes the line of scrimmage for the ensuing play. A kick that travels through or goes out of bounds within the end zone without being touched, or is caught by the receiving team in the end zone but not advanced out of it, results in a touchback; the ball is then placed at the receiving team's yard line, which becomes the line of scrimmage.

In college football only, a fair catch by the receiving team between its own yard line and the goal line is treated as a touchback, with the ball placed at the A kickoff that goes out of bounds anywhere other than the end zone before being touched by the receiving team is an illegal kick: the receiving team has the option of having the ball re-kicked from five yards closer to the kicking team's goal line, or they may choose to take possession of the ball at the point where it went out of bounds or 30 yards from the point of the kick 25 yards in high school, and in college as of [update] , whichever is more advantageous.

A free-kick is also used to restart the game following a safety. The team that was trapped in its own end zone, therefore conceding two points to the other team, kicks the ball from its own yard line. This can be a place kick in the NFL, a tee cannot be used , drop-kick, or punt. In the NFL and high school, a free kick may be taken on the play immediately after a fair catch ; see "fair catch kick" below.

Most standard football plays are considered scrimmage plays , initiated from a line of scrimmage. Exceptions are kickoffs and try plays below. Although similar rules apply during a try play, the number of points awarded for each score differs on a try play. A touchdown is earned when a player has legal possession of the ball and the ball touches or goes over the imaginary vertical plane above the opposing team's goal line.

After a touchdown, the scoring team attempts a try play for 1 or 2 points see below. A successful touchdown is signaled by an official extending both arms vertically above the head. A touchdown is worth six points, except in the defunct WFL where it was worth seven points. For statistical purposes, the player who advances the ball into or catches it in the end zone is credited with the touchdown.

If a forward pass was thrown on the play, the throwing player is credited with a passing touchdown. A field goal is scored when the ball is place kicked, drop kicked, or free kicked after a fair catch or awarded fair catch High School or NFL only between the goalposts behind the opponent's end zone. The most common type of kick used is the place kick.

For a place kick, the ball must first be snapped to a placeholder, who holds the ball upright on the ground with his fingertip so that it may be kicked. Three points are scored if the ball crosses between the two upright posts and above the crossbar and remains over. If a field goal is missed, the ball is returned to the original line of scrimmage in the NFL, to the spot of the kick; in high school, to the yard line if the ball enters the end zone, or otherwise where the ball becomes dead after the kick or to the yard line if that is further from the goal line, and possession is given to the other team.

If the ball does not go out of bounds, the other team may catch the kicked ball and attempt to advance it, but this is usually not advantageous. One official is positioned under each goalpost; if either one rules the field goal no good, then the field goal is unsuccessful.

A successful field goal is signaled by an official extending both arms vertically above the head. A team that successfully kicks a field goal kicks off to the opposing team on the next play. The uncommon safety is scored if a player causes the ball to become dead in his own end zone; two points are awarded to the opposing usually defending team. This can happen if a player is either downed or goes out of bounds in the end zone while carrying the ball, or if he fumbles the ball, and it goes out of bounds in the end zone.

Safety is also awarded to the defensive team if the offensive team commits a foul which is enforced in its own end zone. A safety is not awarded if a player intercepts a pass or receives a kick in his own end zone and is downed there. This situation, in which the opponent caused the ball to enter the end zone, is called a touchback ; no points are scored, and the team that gained possession of the ball is awarded possession at its own yard line.

If the interception or reception occurs outside the end zone, and the player is carried into the end zone by momentum, the ball is placed at the spot of the catch, and no safety is awarded. A safety is signaled by a referee holding both palms together above the head, fingertips pointing upwards. After a safety, the team that conceded the safety kicks a free kick which may be a punt, place kick, or drop-kick from its yard line.

A try play as opposed to a regular scrimmage play or kickoff , more commonly referred to as an extra-point attempt , PAT abbreviation of "point after touchdown" , conversion attempt , or two-point conversion attempt , based on the scoring team's intentions on the play, is awarded to the scoring team immediately following a touchdown.

This un-timed down is an opportunity to score additional points. The offensive team may attempt to kick the ball through the goalposts, in the same manner, that a field goal is kicked during a scrimmage play. In the NFL, the ball is spotted at the yard line. In college and high school, the ball is spotted at the 3-yard line. If successful, the team is awarded 1 point, referred to as an extra point.

This option is almost always chosen because a two-point conversion attempt is much riskier. The offensive team may attempt to advance the ball via run or pass into the end zone, much like a touchdown on the extra-point attempt, except that it receives two points. This is called a two-point conversion. If the offense elects to attempt a two-point conversion on the try play, the ball is spotted at the 2-yard line in the NFL and on the 3-yard line for college and high school.

The success rate for two-point conversions is about 48 percent [23] in the NFL, making the two-point conversion attempt a risky tactic; thus it is usually attempted only when two points will help the team but one point will not. This is officially recorded as a defensive conversion scored by the defense. A safety scored on a try play is worth one point.

This can occur when, for example, the defense gains control of the ball and advances it into the field of play, but then retreats into its own end zone when play is stopped. Similarly, the defense could recover a fumble in its own end zone before play is stopped. A safety on a try play could also be awarded to the defense if the defense takes possession of the ball during a try play, advances it all the way down to the opposite end of the field, where the offensive team then regains possession before the play is declared dead in that end zone.

The one point safety is the most rare type of score in American football. Since a one-point cannot occur unless the other team at least scores a touchdown a final score of 0—1 to is not possible in American football, though a final score of or or higher is. The officials' signal for a successful try, whether an extra point or a two-point conversion, is the same as for a touchdown.

The officials' signal for a safety on a try play is also the same as on a scrimmage play. After the try, the team that scored the touchdown kicks off to the opposing team. Unlike a safety that occurs on a scrimmage play, no free-kick is awarded following a safety on a try play. During sudden-death over time, particularly in the NFL, if a team scores a touchdown in the overtime period, the game is immediately over, and the try is ignored.

In NCAA overtime, if the second team to possess the ball in the overtime scores a touchdown which puts them ahead of the opponent in points, the game is immediately over, and the try is ignored. A free-kick see above may be taken on the play immediately after any fair catch of a punt.

The ball must be held on the ground by a member of the kicking team or drop kicked; a tee may not be used. High school kickers may use a tee. This is both a field goal attempt and a free-kick; if the ball is kicked between the goalposts, three points are scored for the kicking team. This is the only case where a free kick may score points. This method of scoring is extremely rare, last successfully completed in the NFL by Ray Wersching in It is only advantageous when a team catches a very short punt with very little time left.

A team is unlikely to be punting with only a few seconds left in a half or overtime, and it is rarer still for punts to be caught near field goal range. The officials' signal for a successful fair catch kick is the same as for a field goal. The game is officiated by a crew of three to seven officials.

Every crew will consist of a referee , who is generally in charge of the game and watches the action on the quarterback and in the offensive backfield; an umpire , who handles spotting the ball and watches the action on the offensive line; and a head linesman , who supervises the placement of the down box and line-to-gain chains. The crew may also consist of a line judge , back judge , field judge and side judge , in the order listed: i.

Officials are selected by the teams in advance or appointed by the governing league. While the majority of officials at lower levels only officiate games on a part-time basis, the NFL is implementing a new system where seven officials will become full-time employees of the league, one for each official position i.

During the game, the officials are assisted in the administration of the game by other persons, including a clock operator to start and stop the game clock and possibly also the play clock ; a chain crew who hold the down indicator and the line-to-gain chains on the sideline; and ball boys , who provide footballs to officials between downs e.

These individuals may be provided by the teams involved — it is common for a high school coach's son or daughter to act as a ball boy for the team. Because football is a high- contact sport requiring a balance between offense and defense, many rules exist that regulate equality, safety, contact, and actions of players on each team.

It is very difficult to always avoid violating these rules without giving up too much of an advantage. Thus, an elaborate system of fouls and penalties has been developed to "let the punishment fit the crime" and maintain a balance between following the rules and keeping a good flow of the game. Players are constantly looking for ways to find an advantage that stretches the limitations imposed by the rules.

Also, the frequency and severity of fouls can make a large difference in the outcome of a game, so coaches are constantly looking for ways to minimize the number and severity of infractions committed by their players. It is a common misconception that the term "penalty" is used to refer both to an infraction and the penal consequence of that infraction.

A foul is a rule infraction for which a penalty is prescribed. In most cases when a foul occurs, the offending team will be assessed a penalty of 5, 10, or 15 yards, depending on the foul. Also, in most cases, if the foul is committed while the ball is in play, the down will be replayed from the new position for example, if the offense commits a foul on a first-down play, the next play will still be first down, but the offense may have to go 15 yards, or farther, to achieve another first down.

But if a defensive foul results in the ball advancing beyond the offense's first-down objective, the next play will be the first down of a new series. Some penalties typically for more serious fouls , however, require a loss of down for the offense; and some defensive fouls may result in an automatic first down regardless of the ball position.

In all cases except for ejection of a player or, in rare cases, forfeiture of the game , the non-offending team is given the option of declining the penalty and letting the result of the play stand although the Referee may exercise this option on their behalf when it is obvious , if they believe it to be more to their advantage.

For some fouls by the defense, the penalty is applied in addition to the yardage gained on the play. Most personal fouls , which involve danger to another player, carry yard penalties; in rare cases, they result in offending players being ejected from the game. In the NFL, if a defensive foul occurs after time has expired at the end of a half, the half will be continued for a single, untimed play from scrimmage.

Under college rules, any accepted penalty when the time has expired at the end of any quarter results in an extension for one untimed down. In the NFL, with three exceptions, no penalty may move the ball more than half the distance toward the penalized team's goal line. These exceptions are defensive pass interference see the discussion of that foul for more details , intentional grounding, and offensive holding — but in this last case, the exception pertains only if the infraction occurs within the offensive team's own end zone, in which case an automatic safety is assessed intentional grounding from the end zone also carries an automatic safety.

Under college rules, the same half-the-distance principle applies, but any offensive fouls involving contact in their end zone e. Each team receives three timeouts per half if the game goes to overtime, each team receives additional timeouts , making for a total of six timeouts per team in a regulation game. Unused timeouts may not carry over to the second half or overtime.

In professional football, a team must have at least one remaining timeout to challenge an official's call. In the NFL, a number of rulings can be reviewed by officials or challenged by coaches. If a coach wants to challenge a play, he must do so before the next play begins, and he does so by throwing a red flag similar to the officials' yellow flags.

Coaches are allowed two challenges per game and are granted a third if their first two are successful. The team loses a timeout if they lose the challenge. Therefore, they cannot challenge if they do not have timeouts. Plays within the two-minute-warning and overtime cannot be challenged; any review must be initiated by a replay official off-field.

The referee performs the actual review via a video screen on the sideline. The referee will announce the result of instant replay reviews over his wireless microphone. Beginning in the NFL Season, an instant replay review by the booth official will now be automatic for every play ruled by the referees on the field to have scored points.