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A field goal (formerly "goal from the field") is a general term used in some sports wherein a goal may be scored either during general play ("from the field") or via some sort of free shot.

The term has been used in American & Canadian football, rugby union, rugby league, and basketball. However, the term is somewhat obsolete in rugby union, where one is apt to refer now only to the dropped goal.

Rugby football

A field goal or dropped goal (usually abbreviated to "drop goal" in speech) is scored by drop kicking the ball above the crossbar and between the uprights. Typically, it is only used for goals scored during open play — place kicks are usually used for penalties and conversions. However, in the Sevens version of both codes and the Nines version of league, all conversions must be drop kicks. A dropped goal is worth three points in rugby union and one point in rugby league (in league, more commonly known as a field goal); conversions are worth two points in both codes.

Two finals in the Rugby World Cup have been decided by dropped goals in extra time. South Africa's victory margin in 1995 came from a Joel Stransky drop goal in extra time. Jonny Wilkinson duplicated the feat for England in 2003.

In rugby league, since the reduction of their value from two points to one in the early 1970's, the field goal's primary use has been in the latter stages of match in order to break a deadlock, or for "insurance" points. With the introduction of the golden point in the National Rugby League, the field goal is often the first choice option when looking to secure a win. Generally though, a team will opt for a more attacking kick, in hopes of scoring a try, or else kick to gain field position.

American and Canadian football

A field goal may be scored by a place kick or the very rare drop kick. The ball must pass "through the uprights", that is, over a crossbar 10 feet off the ground and between upright posts 18' 6" (5.55 m) apart, to count, and the kick must not be a kickoff. The rules of the particular sanctioning authority may impose additional requirements. A successful field goal scores three points.

Football Field Goal Dimensions

  • NFL - 10' height 18'6" width
  • NCAA - 10' height 18'6" width (since 1991)
  • High School - 10' height 23'4" width
  • Arena Football - 15' height 9' width

(Height = to Crossbar)

Missed Field Goals

In the NFL, missed field goals on or inside the 20-yard line result in the opposing team taking possession at the 20-yard line. Missed field goals beyond the 20-yard line result in the opposing team taking possession at the spot of the kick. This rule applies to both place kicks and drop kicks.

Prior to the 1994 season, missed field goals resulted in the opposing team gaining possession at the line of scrimmage or the 20 yard line, whichever was farther from the goalpost. Prior to the 1974 season, missed field goals resulted in the opposing team gaining possession at the line of scrimmage or the 20 yard line, whichever was closer to the goalpost.

The opposing team may also catch a missed field goal and attempt to return it. This is only rarely performed, as on average the opposing team would not be able to return the ball to the spot of the kick. However, it is occasionally done, particularly when a very long kick is attempted at the end of the first half. Nathan Vasher of the Chicago Bears returned a 52-yard field goal attempt 108 yards for a touchdown in this manner on November 13, 2005, the longest play in NFL history.

In the NCAA, the opposing team takes possession at the line of scrimmage rather than at the spot of the kick.

In Canadian football, the opposing team must return the missed field goal. If they do not, or if the missed field goal goes through the end zone, then the kicking team scores a single point.

Kicking Styles

There are several styles kickers have used for kicking field goals over the years. Drop Kicks, Straight-On or Toe Kickers have had their place in kicking history. However soccer style is the most widely used kick in football today.

Soccer Style
Soccer style gets its name from the game of soccer and the correct way soccer players kick a ball. A soccer style field goal kicker kicks the ball with the instep of his foot and approach the ball from an angle. Typically a kicker will take 3 steps straight back and 2 side steps to the left (if right footed). This will put them in the proper position for approaching the ball. Some kickers, such as Martin Gramatica, start farther to the side and facing away from the line, then proceed to "swing" their body around, almost in a semicircle motion, kicking the ball in with the same final motion.

Straight On
Straight on or Toe Kick is just like the name implies. The kicker takes several steps back and kicks the ball with the front of his foot. This style was widely used in the early days of football until soccer style took over, as straight on is considered less accurate than soccer style. One of the most famous field goals was by Tom Dempsey in 1970 where he kicked a 63 yard field goal to win the game for the Saints. This was the longest field goal in the NFL and he still holds the record along with Jason Elam who tied the record in 1998.

Steve Cox of the Washington Redskins kicked the last straight on field goal in the NFL in 1987. Cox was a punter who also kicked off and occasionally kicked long field goals. Mark Moseley was the last true straight on place kicker in the NFL.

Drop Kick
A drop kick is made when the kicker drops the ball and then kicks it when it bounces off the ground. This kick was popular in the early 1900s. However, the modern American football is more pointed on both ends, making the bounce less reliable. The main advantage of the drop kick is that the kicking team gains an additional blocker. Because this advantage is minimal, drop kicks are rare nowadays. On January 1, 2006 while playing the Miami Dolphins, quarterback Doug Flutie of the New England Patriots successfully executed a drop kick extra point. It was the first time in 64 years that a drop kick was converted for an extra point in the NFL.

The last successful drop kick extra point in NCAA was by Aaron Fitzgerald of the University of LaVerne on November 10, 1990 against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. To see the video footage of that kick: http://www.washingtonunion.net/FitzDropKick3.mov

The link below is a website that chronicles interesting kicking facts including "The Last Known Drop Kicks" http://www.mindspring.com/~luckyshow/field%20goals%20of%2060%20yards%20or%20more.htm

History

In the early days of football kicking was highly emphasized.
  • In 1883 the scoring system was devised and field goals counted 5 points while touchdowns and conversions counted 3 each.
  • In 1897 the touchdown was raised to 5 points while the conversion was lowered to 1 point.
  • The field goal was changed to 4 points in 1904 and then to the modern 3 points in 1909.
  • The touchdown was changed to 6 points in 1912.
  • In 1924 the conversion was spotted at the 3 yard line.
  • In 1925-1928 it was moved to the 5 yard line.
  • In 1929 it was moved to the 2 yard line.
  • Finally, in 1968 it was moved back to the 3 yard line.
  • The goal posts were originally located on the goal line which led to many injuries, and the NCAA moved the goal posts to the rear of the end zone in 1927.
  • In 1959 the NCAA goal posts were widened to 23'4".
  • In 1988 the NCAA banned the kicking tee, requiring kicks from the ground.
  • In 1991 the college goal posts were reduced in width to 18'6" the width of NFL goal posts.
  • Like the collegiate goal posts, the NFL goal posts were located on the goal line. They were moved to the rear of the end zone in 1974.

Field Goal Records

Longest Field Goals
= NFL
=

The progression of professional longest field goals:

  • 45 yards - Wilbur "Pete" Henry, Canton Bulldogs vs. Toledo, Dec. 10, 1922 (drop kick)
  • 54 yards – Glenn Presnell, Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers, Oct. 7, 1934
  • 56 yards – Bert Rechichar, Baltimore Colts vs. Chicago Bears, Sept. 27, 1953
  • 63 yards – Tom Dempsey, New Orleans Saints vs. Detroit Lions, Nov. 8, 1970
  • 63 yards – Jason Elam, Denver Broncos vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, Oct. 25, 1998

=Collegiate
=

=High school
=
  • 68 yards Dick Borgognone, Reno High School (W 34-14) v Sparks HS (Nevada), 9/27/1985
  • 67 yards Russell Cowsert, Dallas Christian HS (W 67-0) v Fort Worth Nolan HS (Texas), 1987
  • 67

Famous Field Goals

Dempsey was born with only a half a foot and kicked the ball straight on style. NY Times article

Four-Point Field Goals

In recent years, NFL Europe has experimented with a rule that awards four points for any field goal kicked 50 yards or more.

In Arena Football, a field goal scored by drop kick is worth four points.

Basketball

In basketball, the term "field goal" is the term for any basket not made from the free throw line. "Field Goal" is the official terminology used by the National Basketball Association (NBA) in their rule book, their box scores and statistics, and in referees' rulings. The same term is also the official wording used by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

Sources

International Rugby Board How To Score (pdf)

External links

American football terminology | Basketball terminology | Canadian football terminology | Rugby league terminology | Rugby union terminology

Fieldgoal | Golo de campo

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Field goal".

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