Conference playoffs have started and the NCAA playoffs are just a few weeks away. Playoff officials should take a few minutes to review the tiebreaking procedure in Rule 7.1.1.1.

Overtime procedures are different from the regular season.  For postseason games, including conference tournaments, two sudden-victory overtime periods of 10 minutes each shall be played.  If the score is still tied, kicks from the penalty spot will be used to determine which team advances to the next round.  The procedures for the kicks from the penalty spot are as follows:

• Only players who are listed on the game roster are eligible to participate in the tiebreaker. Please note anyone on the roster may be designated to participate in the tiebreaker. There is no requirement for a designated player to be on the field when the second overtime period ends.
• Each team shall designate 10 players to participate in the tiebreaker. The designated kickers (except for the goalkeeper, if designated) must be in the center circle at the half way line during the procedure. There is no requirement for the kicking order to be set nor the referee notified before the taking of kicks.
• Once all ten kicks are taken, the order of the designated kickers may change.
• If a designated player is ejected during the tiebreaker, the opposing team has the option to reduce their list of designated players to match the number of remaining designated on the offending team or change their kicking order.
• The visiting team calls the coin toss. The winner of the coin toss has the option to kick first or last. The referee will determine which goal is used for the tiebreaker.
• Once the goalkeeper is designated, he or she shall not be replaced unless injured or ejected. The attending physician and/or a certified trainer in this case shall determine injuries. The goalkeeper may return to the tiebreaker if physically able.

Updated September 2017: Current NCAA Soccer Rules applied and article updated.