Field goal

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.

American and Canadian football

A field goal may be scored only by a place kick or drop kick. The ball must pass over a crossbar 10 feet off the ground and between upright posts 18' 6" (5.64 m) apart, to count, and the kick must not be a kickoff. The rules of the particular sanctioning authority (i.e. professional or amateur league) may impose additional requirements. A successful field goal scores three points.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The current record for the longest field goal in the NFL is 63 yards by Tom Dempsey in 1970 and Jason Elam in 1998.

Related Topics:
NFL - Yards - Tom Dempsey - 1970 - Jason Elam - 1998

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The current record for NCAA College Football Division 1-A is 67 yards and held by three people:

Related Topics:
NCAA - College Football - Yards

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• Russel Erxleben on October 10, 1977
• Steve Little on October 15, 1977
• Joe Williams on October 21, 1978

It should be noted that these record kicks were made at a time when NCAA rules, unlike professional rules, permitted the holder on the field goal attempt to use a kicking tee to assist him in holding the ball steady. Use of tees on field goal attempts is no longer permitted at the collegiate level.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~