Pro Football Rules

A field goal attempt represents an opportunity to put three points on the board in football. On most occasions, a field goal is the result of a drive that failed to result in a touchdown. On other occasions, a coach may be trying for a field goal late in the game to get a victory for his team or send the game to overtime. When a field goal is missed, it usually represents excellent starting field position for the opponent.

Field Goal Attempt

When the offensive team attempts a field goal, the center snaps the ball to the holder who is eight yards behind the line of scrimmage. The holder catches the snap and places the point of the ball on the ground with the laces facing the goalpost. The kicker then hits the ball low and hard and attempts to drive the ball through the goalpost. If he fails and the kick sails wide, the ball is returned to the spot where the kicker hit the ball and the opponent takes possession.

Risks of Long Field Goals

If a team has the ball in the opponent's territory and has its drive stopped before it reaches the end zone, it will often try to score three points with a field goal. However, on long field goal attempts, the team will turn the ball over to its opponent with favorable field position. For example, if a team has the ball on fourth down at the opponent's 33-yard line, the snap back will place the ball at the 41-yard line. If the kick is unsuccessful, the opponents will get the ball at that point. This gives them a short field to work with and with just a couple of first downs, they will be threatening to score. For that reason, some coaches don't take long field goal attempts early in the game and choose to punt instead.

Returned Field Goal Attempts

On some long field goal attempts, the defending team may choose to put a return man back near the goalpost to field the kick in case it is short of the goalposts. If the return man can field the ball anywhere in the field of play, he is allowed to return it. Once he returns the ball, he will get as many yards as he can earn. If he doesn't get to the spot where the ball is kicked from, his team begins play from the spot where he was tackled.

Blocked Field Goals

If a field goal is blocked, the defending team will gain possession of the ball at the point it is recovered. If a player on the blocking team secures the ball and runs with it, he can gain as many yards as he can until he is tackled. It is possible to return a blocked field goal for a touchdown. If a player on the field goal team picks up the blocked kick behind the line of scrimmage, he can run with it and try to gain enough yards to earn a first down for his team. If he is short of gaining the first down, the opponent gains possession of the spot where that player was tackled.

Thursday 8 December 2011 by sports · 1