Quite often, in sports reports, the word "overtime" is heard. What is it, many imagine very roughly. Usually this term begins to sound as the end of the match approaches, which ends with a draw. In some types of sports competitions, the regulation does not provide for the possibility of such completion. In this case, to achieve victory, teams are given extra time, otherwise called the English term "overtime". What it is and what are the features of the game in the extra period is determined by the rules and regulations of the competition. For each sport, they have their own nuances.
Is overtime always necessary?
Over a fairly long historical period, sporting events were dispensed with without additional periods. But with an increase in the number of participants in tournament competitions, the timing of the competition was delayed. And this process needed to be regulated. The easiest way to achieve this is to change the rules of matches in such a way as to exclude a draw. Among other things, this gives the sports confrontation of the two teams a special sharpness and entertainment. The game becomes uncompromising when it cannot end in a draw. If the added time does not reveal the winner, then another overtime will follow. What is this if not the ultimate test of their capabilities for all field players and goalkeepers? But this is exactly what sports are interesting for, it is for the thrill that both the fans and the athletes themselves come to the stadium. It should be noted that this principle of the game was borrowed from the tournament practice of the North American National Hockey League.
In hockey
The game in extra time is of particular importance in such a popular game as hockey. All the most interesting here often happens after the overtime has begun. What is it - you should ask the goalkeepers. It is on them at this moment of the match that a tremendous burden and responsibility falls. Because after one abandoned goal the game is considered completed, and nothing can be fixed. The game in overtime reaches its extreme severity in the final stage of the Kontinental Hockey League tournament, when the matches are played on the playoff principle. One missed puck here can put an end to not only the game, but throughout the championship. Therefore, overtime in hockey is always the moment of truth. According to the KHL rules, the duration of the additional period is 20 minutes. At that moment, four field players from each team can be on the field at the same time, not counting the goalkeepers. A feature of these overtime is that everyone is afraid to make a mistake. That is why the game sometimes takes a very protracted character.
Overtime Basketball
The principle of time regulation, similar to hockey, is also applied in basketball tournament competitions. In the event of a tie in regular time, teams are given an additional five-minute time to identify the winner. The extra time is half the standard period. The number of overtime is not limited. Theoretically, a game can go on for a very long time, but in real practice, tournament competitions rarely have a large number of overtime. Of course, the game in extra time is significantly exacerbated.
Overtime in football
A fundamentally different approach to time management exists in such a popular game around the world as football. There is no need to mandatory play until the victory of one of the teams. Drawn result is recognized by the rules. But quite often, by decision of the chief referee of the match, additional playing time is assigned. Usually it is two to three minutes. Its duration corresponds to the time that was lost during the match for various technical reasons. And also the judge may appoint additional time if he considers that the players of one of the teams deliberately delay the game. This usually happens when the team leading the score seeks to maintain the existing advantage until the final whistle. It often happens that extra minutes become decisive and fundamentally change the result of the match.