Field Goal in Football: Definition & Rules

What Is a Field Goal?

A field goal is a method of scoring in gridiron football (American and Canadian) where the offensive team kicks the ball from the field of play through the opponent’s goalposts. The kick must be a placekick (the ball is held by a teammate on the ground) or a drop kick (the ball is dropped and kicked as it bounces), though the placekick is overwhelmingly common in modern play. A successful field goal scores 3 points in the NFL, NCAA, and CFL. It is distinct from a touchdown (6 points), an extra point (1 or 2 points), and a safety (2 points).

The goalposts are located at the back of each end zone. In the NFL and NCAA, the crossbar is 10 feet high, and the uprights are 18 feet 6 inches apart (NCAA uses the same width). In the CFL, the uprights are 18 feet 6 inches apart as well, but the goalposts are on the goal line (not the end line). The ball must pass entirely over the crossbar and between the uprights (without touching the ground or a teammate) for the kick to count.

How a Field Goal Is Scored

Here are the key points to understand how a field goal works in a game:

Setup: The offensive team lines up in a special formation called “field goal formation,” with a holder (usually the punter or backup quarterback) kneeling 7-8 yards behind the line of scrimmage, and the kicker positioned a few yards behind the holder.
Snap: The center snaps the ball directly to the holder, not the quarterback. The snap must be accurate and quick to give the kicker time.
Hold: The holder catches the ball and places it on the ground (or a small tee, allowed in high school but not in the NFL or NCAA) with the laces facing the kicker.
Kick: The kicker approaches and strikes the ball with their foot (usually the instep) to send it toward the goalposts.
Block: The offensive line protects against defenders trying to block the kick. Defenders may not jump over the line or use another player as a ladder (NFL rules).
Result: If the ball goes through the uprights and over the crossbar, the kicking team scores 3 points. If it misses, the ball is dead, and the opposing team takes over at the spot of the kick (or the 20-yard line in the NFL if the kick is missed from beyond the 20).
After the kick: The kicking team may also attempt an onside kick (a short kick to try to recover the ball) if they want to retain possession, but this is rare after a field goal because it’s a free kick.

When Do Teams Attempt a Field Goal?

Teams usually attempt a field goal on fourth down (or third down in Canadian football) when they are within the kicker’s range and believe the kick has a good chance of success. They may also attempt one at the end of a half or game to tie or win. The decision depends on distance, wind, field conditions, and the score. Coaches often use a “field goal range” chart based on the kicker’s leg strength and the distance to the goalposts. For example, a kicker might be reliable from 45 yards, but less so from 55. The distance is measured from the line of scrimmage to the goalpost (plus 10 yards for the end zone in the NFL/NCAA, or 7 yards in the CFL because the posts are on the goal line).

Field goals are also attempted after a touchdown (the extra point) but that is a separate play. The extra point is technically a field goal attempt from the 15-yard line in the NFL (since 2015) or the 2-yard line in the CFL, but it scores only 1 point (or 2 if taken from farther out in the CFL).

Common Problems and Misconceptions

One common misconception is that a field goal must be a drop kick. In fact, the rules allow a placekick (ball on the ground) or a drop kick. The drop kick is rare because it’s harder to control, but it is legal. Another misconception: a field goal can be scored by a “fair catch kick” — a free kick after a fair catch, which is allowed in the NFL and NCAA. This is a rare play where the receiving team can attempt a field goal from the spot of the fair catch without a snap, and it’s worth 3 points.

Another issue is the “no good” call. If the kick hits the upright or crossbar and bounces through, it counts. If it hits the ground before going through, it does not. If a defender blocks the kick, the ball is dead, and the defense takes over (unless the ball is muffed and recovered by the kicking team, which is rare).

Also, a field goal attempt that is missed is not a turnover in the usual sense: the defense gets the ball at the spot of the kick (or the 20-yard line in the NFL if the kick was from beyond the 20). In the CFL, a missed field goal that goes into the end zone results in a single point (called a “rouge”) for the kicking team if the defense doesn’t run it out.

Field Goal vs. Touchdown vs. Safety

Here’s how field goals compare to other scoring plays:

Touchdown: 6 points, scored by carrying or catching the ball in the end zone.
Extra point: 1 point (NFL/NCAA) or 1-2 points (CFL), attempted after a touchdown.
Safety: 2 points, scored when the defense tackles an offensive player in their own end zone.
Field goal: 3 points, scored by kicking through the uprights from the field of play.

The field goal is the only scoring play that does not require the ball to cross the goal line. It’s a strategic option that can change the outcome of a game, especially in close contests.

Kicking Technique and Equipment

The kicker uses a specially designed shoe (often with a smooth toe) to strike the ball. The holder places the ball with the laces facing the kicker to give a clean surface. The kicker’s approach is usually a few steps back and to the side, then a straight run-up. The contact point is the lower part of the foot (the instep) for power and accuracy. The follow-through is crucial for height and direction.

The ball is a standard football, inflated to a specific pressure (12.5-13.5 psi in the NFL). The kicking team may use a tee in high school, but the NFL and NCAA require the ball to be held by a teammate. The holder must be on one knee and cannot move the ball after it’s placed (except to spin it). The kicker’s plant foot must not cross the line of scrimmage before the kick.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many points is a field goal?

A field goal is worth 3 points in American and Canadian football. It is the second-highest scoring play after a touchdown (6 points) and a successful extra point (1-2 points).

Can a field goal be scored from anywhere on the field?

Yes, a team can attempt a field goal from any spot on the field, but the distance to the goalposts is the limiting factor. In the NFL, the longest successful field goal is 66 yards (recorded in 2021), but most kickers have a reliable range of 45-55 yards. The distance is measured from the line of scrimmage to the goalpost (add 10 yards for the end zone in the NFL/NCAA).

What happens if a field goal is blocked?

If a field goal is blocked and the ball does not cross the line of scrimmage, the defense can recover it and return it for a touchdown. If the ball crosses the line and then is blocked, it’s a dead ball, and the defense takes over at the spot of the kick. The kicking team cannot advance a blocked field goal (except in rare cases where the ball is muffed).

Is a field goal the same as an extra point?

No. An extra point is a type of field goal attempt after a touchdown, but it scores only 1 point (or 2 in the CFL if taken from a longer distance). A regular field goal is attempted during general play and scores 3 points. The distance for an extra point is shorter (15 yards in the NFL, 32 yards in the CFL) and the rules differ slightly (e.g., the defense can return a blocked extra point in the NFL).

Can a field goal be scored on a drop kick?

Yes, the rules allow a drop kick for a field goal, but it is extremely rare in modern football. The last successful drop kick in the NFL was in 2006 (by Doug Flutie, but he is a retired player). The drop kick is harder to execute because the ball must be dropped and kicked as it bounces, making control difficult.

What is the “fair catch kick”?

A fair catch kick is a free kick attempt after a fair catch. The receiving team can choose to kick a field goal from the spot of the catch, with no defense allowed to rush (the defense must stay 10 yards away). It is worth 3 points if it goes through the uprights. It’s a rare play, but it is legal in the NFL and NCAA.

Sources: The IFAB Laws of the Game. Menus and buttons can differ slightly by version. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.