The term “sudden death” is used in various sports to describe a situation where the game ends as soon as one team scores. This type of overtime period is meant to quickly determine a winner between two closely matched teams after regulation play ends tied. Sudden death overtime creates a heightened sense of drama and urgency for players and spectators alike, as the next goal scored wins the game. But where did this dramatic term come from and how did it become so widely used in sports?
History of the Term “Sudden Death”
The origins of using “sudden death” to describe a quickly decisive overtime period can be traced back to the early days of organized sports in the 19th century. Some of the earliest uses of the term were in boxing matches, to denote a round where the first fighter to score a knockdown would be declared the winner. If both boxers were still standing at the end of the round, another sudden death round would be added until there was a decisive outcome.
The concept expanded into other sports throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s. In hockey, lacrosse, and soccer, any goal scored in a sudden death overtime period immediately ended the game. The term was used in tennis as well, for a tie-breaking final set where the first person to win a game would win the match. Even early car racing competitions utilized sudden death rules, where the first car to cross the finish line on the last lap was the winner.
So across many different sports, sudden death emerged as a simple and dramatic way to quickly resolve tied games. The term evoked the finality and high stakes of the situation. And it still carries those connotations today in the major professional sports leagues that use it.
Sudden Death Usage in Major Pro Sports
Sudden death is best known nowadays for its usage in the overtime rules of major leagues like the NFL, NHL, MLS, and NCAA football. Here’s a breakdown of how the term is applied:
NFL
In the NFL, if the score is tied after four quarters of play, an overtime period is initiated. The first team to score any points is declared the winner. This applies to both regular season and playoff games. So if the receiving team scores a touchdown on the opening drive, the game ends immediately and there is no opportunity for the other team to respond. This creates a tense, high-stakes showdown where every yard matters. Games can end abruptly on big plays, earning the “sudden death” moniker.
NHL
Hockey also utilizes classic sudden death rules in its overtime format. If regulation play ends with a tie score, a five minute 3-on-3 sudden death OT period is held. If neither team scores in those five minutes, they continue playing 20-minute sudden death periods until one team scores. As soon as a goal is scored the game ends instantly, no matter how much time is left on the clock. Sudden death overtime in hockey provides wild, edge-of-your-seat action with how abruptly it can conclude a tight game.
MLS
In Major League Soccer, if a match is tied after 90 minutes, two 15-minutes extra time periods are played. If the stalemate persists, it moves into a penalty shootout phase to determine the winner. While MLS does not label its extra time periods as “sudden death”, the first goal scored still ends the game immediately, earning it the same designation.
NCAA Football
In college football, an overtime period is initiated if the teams are tied after four quarters. Each team gets one possession from the opponent’s 25-yard line to score. If the score remains tied after that, they move to double overtime with two possessions each. This continues until one team holds the lead outright at the end of an overtime round. So while not exactly sudden death continuously, the first score that breaks the tie ends the game.
Other Prominent Uses of Sudden Death
Beyond the major sports leagues, sudden death has been incorporated into the rules of many other competitions over the years as well. Here are some other notable uses:
– Tennis – Some professional tennis tournaments have incorporated sudden death tiebreakers, where the first player to win a point in the tiebreak wins the match.
– Volleyball – Fifth sets played to 15 points in beach and indoor volleyball are often sudden death, awarding the set and match to whoever scores 15 first.
– Table Tennis – The seventh game of a table tennis match acts as a sudden death point, instantly deciding the winner.
– Badminton – If a third game is needed to decide the match, badminton enters a sudden death period where the first side to score 11 points wins.
– Cricket – In some tournaments, a one-over sudden death period is used to break ties in knockout matches.
– Disc Golf – Tied scores after all holes are settled by a sudden death playoff starting on the first hole.
So while the term is most recognizable from major pro sports leagues, it has woven its way into the fabric of many competitions over the past century and a half. Any place where a quick resolution to a deadlock is needed, sudden death rules deliver.
Origin Theories: Why “Sudden Death”?
With sudden death overtime being so pervasive in sports, it begs the question – why was this particular dramatic term chosen to describe the situation? There are a few prevailing theories on how “sudden death” came to prominence:
– It was first used in boxing, where a knockout delivered a swift ending reminiscent of death.
– It evoked the finality of an execution, like “put to death” immediately.
– It mirrored dueling, where the first true strike ended the affair.
– It embodied the abrupt stoppage of play at the decisive goal/score.
– It reflected the sense of urgency knowing the next point wins.
So in essence, sudden death nicely encapsulated the instant win-or-go-home stakes in these overtime situations. The term spread as sports adopted this format for tense overtime conclusions. And the evocative name has stuck throughout modern times, becoming synonymous with crunch-time drama.
Criticism of Sudden Death
Despite its popularity among fans and leagues, sudden death overtime has still received its share of criticisms over the years:
– Some argue it is an unfair way to end games based on the arbitrary timing of scoring.
– Coaches have complained that both teams should get at least one guaranteed possession in overtime.
– It diminishes dramatic comebacks, as the game cannot continue after the first score.
– Weather and field position play too large a role in determining outcomes.
– It places too much importance on a singular play versus a full sample of play.
– Exhausted defenses are at a major disadvantage after regulation.
These complaints have led some leagues to tweak their overtime rules to be a bit more accommodating or egalitarian. For example, the NFL added rules to prevent games from ending on an opening drive field goal, compelling teams to score touchdowns. But even with some criticisms, sudden death continues to be used extensively.
Famous Sudden Death Moments
While not ideal in some ways competitively, sudden death overtime undeniably creates some of the most memorable and dramatic finishes in sports. Here are some of the most famous sudden death moments across major sports:
– NFL – The 1958 NFL championship between the Colts and Giants ended in a famous sudden death victory for the Colts. Now known as “The Greatest Game Ever Played”, it put the NFL on the map and demonstrated the appeal of sudden death.
– NHL – The Easter Epic playoff game between the Capitals and Islanders in 1987 went to four overtimes before Pat LaFontaine scored the sudden death winner in the early morning hours. It is considered one of hockey’s greatest games.
– NBA – While not technically sudden death, Michael Jordan’s iconic buzzer-beating jumper to win the 1998 Finals exemplifies the exciting way sports can end abruptly.
– World Cup – Landon Donovan’s last second goal to beat Algeria in the 2010 group stage propelled the US team into the knockout round in an unforgettable sudden death moment.
– Wimbledon – The Isner vs. Mahut first round match in 2010 went to 138 games and over 11 hours of play across 3 days before Isner won the sudden death set 70-68.
– Super Bowl – Adam Vinatieri kicked a last second sudden death field goal in Super Bowl XXXVI to shock the Rams and give the Patriots their first title.
So while not perfect, the allure of sudden death remains strong. The possibility of swift finish creates gripping drama and suspense that has etched many overtime thrillers into legend.
Conclusion
In the end, “sudden death” endures as an overtime format because it encapsulates sports at their dramatic best. The looming possibility of an abrupt, shocking finish lends high stakes to every possession, pass, and power play. It provides energizing, edge-of-your-seat entertainment. Purists may argue its merits compared to unlimited overtimes or shootouts. But after 100+ years of usage, sudden death remains ingrained in sports culture. And fans would surely miss the urgent excitement it produces if it ever went away. Love it or hate it, the term sudden death effectively captures the electric win-or-go-home essence of sports.