Lacrosse Overtime Rules: When the regulation play ends in a tie, sudden death overtime determines the winner. Both teams are under intense pressure during overtime. The sudden death rule declares the team that scores first the winner. We will learn how overtime is formatted and how the coin toss procedure at overtime is conducted in this tutorial.
The overtime format
Depending on the league and level, overtime procedures differ. There is a two-minute stoppage in the middle of overtime periods in collegiate lacrosse so that the teams can change goals. It takes ten minutes for each overtime period in Major League Lacrosse.
Between the first and second sudden death periods in indoor lacrosse, play stops for two minutes. A five-minute overtime period begins after regulation play has ended. There will be time for strategy discussions, substitutions, and teams to regain focus in preparation for overtime.
To determine the offensive and defensive halves, a coin toss is conducted first. During sudden death over time, teams face off after taking the field. Shootouts are sometimes used to decide indoor lacrosse games when no goal is scored in two 15-minute periods.
Each team’s shootout begins with a player at the centerline driving undefended on goal. It consists of three players from each team rotating back and forth during the shoot-out, with the team scoring the most goals after six total shoot-outs winning.
Continuing the alternating procedure keeps the game tied. Every round, a different shooter must be elected by the teams.
Procedures for the overtime coin toss
The officials perform a coin toss between the end of regulation and the start of overtime if there is a tie at the end of regulation. It is once again the visiting team that calls the coin toss. Which half of the field will be defended depends on which team wins the coin toss. Overtime is characterized by alternate possession status as prescribed.
FAQ’s
Depending on the rules of the league or tournament, lacrosse games can end in ties. When a lacrosse game is tied after regulation, most games go to overtime. Sudden death overtime is a thing in high school and college games, according to the NFHS and NCAA.
The over-and-back rule prohibits lacrosse players from returning the ball over midfield once they have crossed the attack area into their defensive zone. In the offensive zone, the ball must remain until it is either scored on or lost to the defense, once it has entered the restraining box.
If there’s a tie, there’ll be two (2) four (4) minute overtime periods (sudden victory). Coaches and officials must agree if additional sudden victory overtime periods are required if the score is still tied after two (2) overtime periods.
