Section 5: Rules of Play
Game Duration
An NFL game consists of four 15-minute quarters, divided into two halves with a halftime intermission of approximately 12–15 minutes (longer for special events like the Super Bowl). The game clock runs continuously during most play but stops for incomplete passes, out-of-bounds plays, penalties, timeouts, the two-minute warning, and other specified situations.
Downs and Distance
The offensive team has four downs (plays) to advance the ball at least 10 yards from the original line of scrimmage. Successfully gaining 10 or more yards results in a new first down. If the team fails to gain 10 yards in four downs, possession is turned over to the opposing team at the spot of the ball. Teams commonly punt on fourth down to push the opposing team farther from their own end zone.
Kickoffs — Dynamic Kickoff (Permanent 2025)
The dynamic kickoff format, introduced as a one-year trial in 2024, was made permanent for the 2025 season after significantly increasing return rates and reducing concussions. Key rules:
- The kicker kicks from the 35-yard line
- All other kicking team players line up at the receiving team's 40-yard line
- The receiving team sets up a "return zone" between their own 30- and 35-yard lines
- Neither team may move until the ball hits the ground, is touched by a receiver, or reaches the landing zone
- Touchback: The receiving team gets the ball at the 35-yard line (increased from 30-yard line in 2024)
- Onside kicks: May now be attempted at any point in the game (previously restricted to 4th quarter for trailing teams only)
The 2024 trial saw a 57% increase in kickoff return rates and a 43% reduction in concussions compared to previous seasons.
Passing
Only one forward pass is permitted per play, and it must be thrown from behind the line of scrimmage. Any player on the field may catch a forward pass if they are an eligible receiver. Lateral passes (backward passes) may be thrown by any player at any time and any number of times during a play.
Overtime — Unified Rules (2025)
Overtime rules were unified across regular season and postseason in 2025:
- Both teams are guaranteed at least one possession, regardless of what happens on the first possession
- Overtime is a single 10-minute period
- Each team receives 2 timeouts during overtime
- If the score remains tied after both teams have possessed the ball, play continues in sudden death (next score wins)
- In the regular season, if the score is still tied at the end of the 10-minute period, the game ends as a tie
- In the postseason, additional overtime periods are played until a winner is determined