Scoring
So you have the ball moving down the field, 1st down after 1st down. Now it’s just the matter of transitioning that movement into points. There are two main ways in which points are scored, primarily through a touchdown and secondly by a field goal. I’ve listed all scoring methods below, with brief summaries.
- Touchdown - 6 Points
A touchdown is the process of getting the ball into the endzone while in possession of the football. This can be achieved by running the ball into the endzone, or catching the ball in the endzone.
- Extra Point - 1 or 2 Point(s)
The Extra Point is an additional down granted after scoring a touchdown. This is taken from the 2 yard line and the middle of the field, and can be completed by kicking the ball between the goalposts for 1 point, or by running a play to get the ball into the endzone similarly to a touchdown for 2 points.
- Field Goal - 3 Points
A Field Goal is placing a kick between the goalposts during open play (without scoring a touchdown first). These are typically more difficult than Extra Point attempts as they can be completed from much greater distances and varying angles.
- Safety - 2 Points
A safety is the process of forcing the opposition into their own endzone while they maintain possession of the ball. If the down ends while they have possession in their own endzone two points are awarded to the defense that forced the “Safety”. A Safety is followed by a punt from the endzone to the team that had forced their opposition into the endzone.
Change of Possession
Possession can change hands in many ways through the course of a football game. I’d like to break this into two subcatergories, of “Intentional” and “Unintentional” turnovers of possession.
Intentional Turnovers.
- Kickoff - At the start of the game, the start of the second half and after scoring the team in possession of the football takes a kick from their own 35 yard line. This kick has to travel 10 yards before being touched by the kicking team, but past this there are no restrictions upon playing the ball.
Punting - Similar to kicking off, punting is used in regular play (within the regular progression of downs) to give possession to the opposition. This is useful in 4th down situations where a failure to gain a 1st down results in a turnover. The purpose of punting is to preserve field position, and give the oppositions offense a longer distance to move the ball in order to score.- Safety Punt - I put this in “Intentional” due to it being mandated as a consequence of a safety. The ball is punted out of the endzone to the team that gained 2 points from the safety.
Unintentional Turnovers.
- Fumble - When the offense is in possession of the ball and they lose that ball during a play, it is free for either team to collect. This commonly results in a turnover for the defense. The same downing rules apply as with a regular play.
- Interception - If a forward pass is received by the defense instead of the offense it is deemed an interception. The same downing rules apply as with a regular play.
- Safety - The Safety Punt is intentional, but the act of being forced to safety is not as the defense has to force the offense into their own endzone.
As always the best way to learn a game is to watch, or play. At this point you should be able to keep up with a game, and follow the scoring. Next up is Position Basics.