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. In Association Football (soccer), the word goal refers to both the result of a score and the physical structure that defines when a score has occurred. ...

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. Gridiron football is a term that refers to both American football and Canadian football. ... General phase play in rugby union. ... Rugby league is a team sport, played by two teams of 13 players. ... Sara Giauro shoots a three-point shot, FIBA Europe Cup for Women Finals 2005 For other uses, see Basketball (disambiguation). ...

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. A drop kick is someones dropping a ball and then kicking it when it bounces off the ground. ... In rugby football, the penalty is the main disciplinary sanction available to the referee to penalise players who commit deliberate infringements. ... General phase play in rugby union. ... Rugby league is a team sport, played by two teams of 13 players. ...

Two finals in the Rugby Union 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. The William Webb Ellis Trophy, the main prize of the Rugby Union World Cup The Rugby World Cup is the premier international Rugby Union contest in the world, first held jointly in Australia and New Zealand in 1987, a full 33 years after the first Rugby League World Cup and... 1995 Rugby Union World Cup - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... Joel Stransky (born 16th July 1967) is a former South African rugby union footballer, most notable for scoring the winning drop goal in the 1995 Rugby World Cup final. ... Extra time is an additional period played at the end of some games of football (soccer) if the score is tied after the two standard periods (halves) of play. ... Date of Birth: May 25, 1979 Place of Birth: Frimley, Surrey Height: 1. ... England Rugby is the name of the English national rugby union team. ... The 2003 Rugby Union World Cup was the fifth world cup in rugby history. ...

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. A recent innovation to the National Rugby League competition (in 2003), is sudden death overtime, referred in the NRL as the golden point - a term borrowed from soccers now defunct golden goal. ... The logo of the National Rugby League. ... This article refers to the use of the word Try in rugby football terminology. ...

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

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. Nathan Vasher (born November 17, 1981 in Wichita Falls, Texas), full name Nathanial DeWayne Vasher, is an American football cornerback who plays for the Chicago Bears. ... City Chicago, Illinois Other nicknames Da Bears, The Monsters of the Midway Team colors Navy Blue, Orange and White Head Coach Lovie Smith Owner McCaskey Family General manager Jerry Angelo Fight song Bear Down, Chicago Bears Mascot Staley Da Bear Local radio Flagship stations: WBBM (780 AM) Announcers: Jeff Joniak...

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. Canadian football is a sport in which two teams of twelve players each compete for territorial control of a field of play 110 yards (100. ... In Canadian football, a single or single point is scored when the ball is kicked into the end zone by any legal means, other than a successful field goal, and the receiving team does not return the ball out of the end zone. ...

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. Martín Gramática (born November 27, 1975 in Buenos Aires, Argentina) is an American football placekicker, currently playing for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. ...

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. Mark Moseley (born in 1948) is a former professional American football placekicker who played for the Philadelphia Eagles (1970), the Houston Oilers (1971-1972), the Washington Redskins (1974-1986), and the Cleveland Browns (1986). ...

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 ball was made more pointed on both ends therefore making the bounce less reliable. It is very seldom seen today in football. On January 1, 2006 while playing the Miami Dolphins, quarterback Doug Flutie of the New England Patriots successfully executed a drop kick for an extra point. It was the first time in 64 years that a drop kick has been converted for an extra point. The last "drop kick" extra point in NCAA history was made by Aaron Fitzgerald of the University of LaVerne on November 10, 1990 vs Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. To see the video footage of that kick: http://www.washingtonunion.net/FitzDropKick3.mov A drop kick is someones dropping a ball and then kicking it when it bounces off the ground. ... A drop kick is someones dropping a ball and then kicking it when it bounces off the ground. ... January 1 is the first day of the calendar year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... City Miami Gardens, Florida Other nicknames The Fins Team colors Aqua Green, Coral Orange, Navy Blue, and White Head Coach Nick Saban Owner Wayne Huizenga General manager Randy Mueller Mascot T. D. Local radio Flagship stations: WAXY (790 AM) and WNMA (1210 AM) -Spanish Announcers: Jimmy Cefalo and Joe Rose... 1984: BCs Sensational Doug Flutie Stuns Miami Douglas Richard Flutie (born on October 23, 1962) is a former professional gridiron football player in the National Football League (American football) and Canadian Football League (Canadian football). ... City Foxborough, Massachusetts Other nicknames The Pats Team colors Blue, Red, Silver, and White Head Coach Bill Belichick Owner Robert Kraft General manager Scott Pioli Mascot Pat Patriot Local radio Flagship stations: WBCN 104. ...

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

• 63 yards Tom Dempsey, New Orleans Saints (W 19-17) v Detroit Lions, 11/8/1970
• 63 yards Jason Elam, Denver Broncos (W 37-24) v Jacksonville Jaguars, 10/25/1998
• 65 yards Ola Kimrin, Denver Broncos (W 31-0) v Seattle Seahawks, 8/29/2002 (Pre-season game. He was released following the game.)

The progression of professional longest field goals: The National Football League (NFL) is the largest professional American football league, consisting of thirty-two teams from American cities and regions. ... Since Tom Dempsey was born with no toes on his right foot, he wore a modified shoe with a flattened and enlarged toe area, giving somewhat the appearance of a hammer Tom Dempsey (b. ... City New Orleans, Louisiana Team colors Old Gold, Black, and White Head Coach Sean Payton Owner Tom Benson General manager Mickey Loomis Mascot Gumbo Local radio Flagship stations: WWL (870 AM)-English and WFNO (830 AM)-Spanish Announcers: Jim Henderson, Hokie Gajan, Kenny Wilkerson, and Larry Matson (English); Marco Garcia... City Detroit, Michigan Team colors Honolulu Blue, Silver, and Black Head Coach Rod Marinelli Owner William Clay Ford, Sr. ... Jason Elam (born March 8, 1970 in Fort Walton Beach, Florida) is an American football player, currently a placekicker with the Denver Broncos. ... City Denver, Colorado Other nicknames Orange Crush Team colors Broncos Navy Blue, Orange, and White Head Coach Mike Shanahan Owner Pat Bowlen General manager Ted Sundquist Mascot Miles Local radio Flagship stations: KOA (850 AM)-English and KBNO (1280 AM)-Spanish Announcers: David Diaz-Infante and Dave Logan-English; Luke... City Jacksonville, Florida Other nicknames The Jags Team colors Teal, Black, and Gold Head Coach Jack Del Rio Owner Wayne Weaver General manager James Harris Mascot Jaxson de Ville Local radio Flagship stations: WOKV (690 AM) and WJGL (96. ... City Denver, Colorado Other nicknames Orange Crush Team colors Broncos Navy Blue, Orange, and White Head Coach Mike Shanahan Owner Pat Bowlen General manager Ted Sundquist Mascot Miles Local radio Flagship stations: KOA (850 AM)-English and KBNO (1280 AM)-Spanish Announcers: David Diaz-Infante and Dave Logan-English; Luke... City Seattle, Washington Other nicknames The Hawks Team colors Pacific Blue, Navy Blue, Neon Green, White Head Coach Mike Holmgren Owner Paul Allen General manager Tim Ruskell Mascot Blitz Local radio Flagship stations: KIRO (710 AM) Announcers: Warren Moon and Steve Raible League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1976-present...

• 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

• 69 yards Ove Johansson, Abilene Christian (W 17-0) v East Texas State, 10/16/1976 (2" tee) Shotwell Stadium, Abilene. NAIA
• 67 yards Russell Erxleben, Texas (W 72-15) v Rice, 10/1/1977 (2" tee)
• 67 yards Steve Little, Arkansas (L 9-13) v Texas, 10/15/1977 (2" tee)
• 67 yards Tom Odle, Fort Hays State (W 22-14) v Washburn, 11/5/1988 (2" tee), NCAA Division II
• 67 yards Joe Williams, Wichita State (W 33-7) v Southern Illinois, 10/21/1978 (2" tee)
• 65 yards John Triplett Haxall, Princeton (L 1g,1s-2g,2t,1s) v Yale, 11/30/1882 (w/out tee) The Polo Grounds, 5th Avenue at 110th Street, New York City. [1]
• 65 yards J.P. Ross, Birmingham A.C. (W 5-4) v Alabama, 11/12/1892 (drop-kick)
• 65 yards Martin Gramatica, Kansas State (W 73-7) v Northern Illinois 9/12/1998 (longest in NCAA history without a tee)
• 65 yards Tony Franklin, Texas A&M (W 24-0) v Baylor, 10/16/1976 (2" tee) [after Johansson's 69]
• 64 yards Tony Franklin, Texas A&M (W 24-0) v Baylor, 10/16/1976 (2" tee) [before Johansson's 69]. Only kicker with 2 over 60 in one game.

Abilene Christian University (ACU) is a private university located in Abilene, Texas, affiliated with Churches of Christ. ... Texas A&M University-Commerce Texas A&M University-Commerce began as East Texas Normal College in 1889 when founder William Leonidas Mayo opened the doors to a one-building campus in Cooper, TX. His creed, which continues today, was ceaseless industry, fearless investigation, unfettered thought, and unselfish service to... The University of Texas at Austin, often called UT or Texas, is the flagship institution of the University of Texas System. ... Rice University William Marsh Rice University, commonly called Rice University and opened in 1912 as Rice Institute, is one of the United Statess top teaching and research universities. ... The University of Arkansas is a public co-educational land-grant university. ... Fort Hays State University (FHSU) is a public, co-educational university located in Hays, Kansas. ... Washburn University is a four-year college in Topeka, Kansas. ... Wichita State University (WSU), an American state-supported university located in the middle-size city of Wichita, Kansas, in the south central part of the state. ... Southern Illinois University Carbondale Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale in the U.S. state of Illinois. ... Princeton University is a coeducational private university located on an extensive campus mostly in the Borough of Princeton and partly in the Princeton Township in New Jersey, United States. ... Yale redirects here. ... The University of Alabama (also known as Alabama, UA, or colloquially as Bama) is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. ... Kansas State University (sometimes referred to as K-State) is an institution of higher learning located in Manhattan, Kansas, in the United States. ... Northern Illinois University is a comprehensive teaching and research institution with a student enrollment of more than 25,000. ... Tony Franklin was a kicker with a 10 year career. ... Texas A&M University, often Texas A&M, A&M or TAMU for short, is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. ... Baylor University is a private, Baptist-affiliated research university located in Waco, Texas. ... Tony Franklin was a kicker with a 10 year career. ...

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 yards Lonny Calicchio, Plantation HS (Florida) [year?] (1988-1990)

Famous Field Goals

• Tom Dempsey 63 yards New Orleans Saints ( W 19-17 ) vs Detroit Lions with only 2 seconds left to win the game.

Dempsey was born with only a half a foot and kicked the ball straight on style. NY Times article Since Tom Dempsey was born with no toes on his right foot, he wore a modified shoe with a flattened and enlarged toe area, giving somewhat the appearance of a hammer Tom Dempsey (b. ... City New Orleans, Louisiana Team colors Old Gold, Black, and White Head Coach Sean Payton Owner Tom Benson General manager Mickey Loomis Mascot Gumbo Local radio Flagship stations: WWL (870 AM)-English and WFNO (830 AM)-Spanish Announcers: Jim Henderson, Hokie Gajan, Kenny Wilkerson, and Larry Matson (English); Marco Garcia...

• Adam Vinatieri 48 yards New England Patriots (W 20-17) vs St. Louis Rams final play of Super Bowl XXXVI 2/3/2002
• Van Tiffin 50 yards Alabama Crimson Tide (W 25-23) vs Auburn Tigers final play of game 11/30/1985 Article
• Scott Norwood misses 47 yards Buffalo Bills ( L 20-19 ) vs New York Giants in the final seconds of Super Bowl XXV, allowing Giants to win, famously missing wide right Article
• Mike Vanderjagt missed 46 yards, wide right Indianapolis Colts ( L 21-18 ) vs Pittsburgh Steelers with 18 seconds remaining in AFC Divisional Playoffs; January 15, 2006. The NFL would later announce that a botched call earlier in the game should have not gone in favor of the Colts, which lead to the field goal. This followed the Colts' 13-0 start to the 2005 season. Four days after the miss, Vanderjagt appeared on The Late Show, which is hosted by Indianapolis native and Colts fan David Letterman. In his appearance, he completed a 46-yard field goal on West 53rd Street, outside the Ed Sullivan Theater.
• On 10/16/1976 Tony Franklin kicked two 60+ yard field goals in one game. His first one of 64 yards broke the collegiate record. Later in the game he kicked a 65 yard field goal. On the same day however, Ove Johansson kicked a 69 yard field goal to break Franklin's record.

Adam Matthew Vinatieri (born December 28, 1972 in Yankton, South Dakota) is an American football placekicker playing for the Indianapolis Colts. ... City Foxborough, Massachusetts Other nicknames The Pats Team colors Blue, Red, Silver, and White Head Coach Bill Belichick Owner Robert Kraft General manager Scott Pioli Mascot Pat Patriot Local radio Flagship stations: WBCN 104. ... City St. ... Date February 3, 2002 Stadium Louisiana Superdome City New Orleans, Louisiana MVP Tom Brady, Quarterback (New England) Favorite Rams by 14 National anthem Mariah Carey Coin toss George H. W. Bush and Roger Staubach Referee Bernie Kukar Halftime show U2 Attendance 72,922 TV in the United States Network FOX... The University of Alabama (also known as Alabama, UA, or colloquially as Bama) is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. ... The Auburn Tigers are the sports representatives of Auburn University. ... Scott Allan Norwood (born July 17, 1960 in Miami, Florida) is a former National Football League kicker who played his entire career for the Buffalo Bills. ... City Orchard Park, New York Team colors Dark Navy, Red, Royal, Nickel, and White Head Coach Dick Jauron Owner Ralph C. Wilson Jr. ... City East Rutherford, New Jersey Other nicknames Big Blue Wrecking Crew, Big Blue, G-Men, the Giants, The New York Football Giants Team colors Royal Blue, Red, Gray, and White Head Coach Tom Coughlin Owner The Mara and Tisch Families General manager Ernie Accorsi Local radio Flagship stations: WFAN (660... Date January 27, 1991 Stadium Tampa Stadium City Tampa, Florida MVP Ottis Anderson, Running back Favorite Bills by 6 National anthem Whitney Houston Coin toss Pete Rozelle Referee Jerry Seeman Halftime show New Kids on the Block Attendance 73,813 TV in the United States Network ABC Announcers Al Michaels... Michael Mike Vanderjagt (born March 24, 1970 in Oakville, Ontario) is a National Football League player from Canada who is the placekicker for the Indianapolis Colts. ... City Indianapolis, Indiana Team colors Speed Blue and White Head Coach Tony Dungy Owner Jim Irsay General manager Bill Polian Mascot Spike and Spirit Local radio Flagship stations: WFBQ (94. ... City Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Team colors Black and Gold Head Coach Bill Cowher Owner Dan Rooney Local radio Flagship stations: WDVE (102. ... January 15 is the 15th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Late Show with David Letterman is an hour-long weeknight comedy and talk show broadcast by CBS from the Ed Sullivan Theater on Broadway in New York City. ... The Indianapolis skyline Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana. ... David Michael Letterman (born April 12, 1947) is an American late night talk show host, comedian, television producer, Indy Racing League car owner (Rahal Letterman Racing), and philanthropist. ... Ed Sullivan. ...

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. NFL Europe logo Old World League of American Football (WLAF) logo The NFL Europe League is an American football league which operates in Europe. ...

In Arena Football, a field goal scored by drop kick is worth four points. Arena football is a sport invented by Jim Foster, a former executive of the United States Football League and the National Football League. ...

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). Sara Giauro shoots a three-point shot, FIBA Europe Cup for Women Finals 2005 For other uses, see Basketball (disambiguation). ... NBA logo, depicting former star Jerry West Location of NBA teams, conferences and divisions NBA redirects here. ... The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA, often pronounced N-C-Double-A or N-C-Two-A) is a voluntary association of about 1200 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletics programs of many colleges and universities in the United States. ...

Sources

International Rugby Board How To Score (pdf)

External links

• The Evolution of the NFL's Field Goal Record