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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 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 . 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
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. 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 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 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.
Field Goal Records Longest Field Goals = NFL
The progression of professional longest field goals:
=Collegiate
=High school
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 |
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