Understanding Football Scoring - How Many Points?

The majority of football fans out there take scoring for granted in football. It is second nature to us. However, to the new fan coming into the game it can be horribly confusing. Sometimes you get three points, six points, one point and so on and it seems there is no rhyme or reason why to the new fan. What follows is a simple guide to understanding football scoring for the new football fan:

Touchdowns - (Worth Six Points)

To score a touchdown, you must cross the goal line opposite of your offense. You can do this by passing the ball, running the ball, or causing a fumble on defense and recovering the ball in the end zone. You can also score a touchdown on special teams such as punt returns and kick off returns. Any time your offense or defense has possession of the ball in the end zone, you get a touchdown and six points. Keep in mind that you have to be in your end zone - that is the one in front of you when you are lined up.

Field Goal - (Worth Three Points)

The field goal is when the offense lines up with a man to hold the ball, and a kicker comes on the field. The ball is hiked to the holder, and the kicker tries to kick the ball through the yellow goal posts. If he succeeds, the team gets three points. The points are the same regardless of how far or short the kick is. This is not the same as a kick off or a punt. Those go through the goal posts sometimes, but you get nothing in the way of points for it.

Extra Point - (Worth One Point)

After every touchdown, the offense gets the choice of kicking a short field goal from the two yard line, or trying to run or pass the ball into the end zone from the two. The field goal is worth one point in this situation and is called an extra point.

Going for Two Point Conversions - (Worth Two Points)

The two point conversion is optional and rarely used unless a team is trying to come from behind. The reason is that it is much more difficult than an extra point.

Safety - (Worth Two Points)

A safety is worth two points and is awarded when the defense brings down the ball carrier in their own end zone. Occasionally a safety is also awarded if the quarterback is in the grasp or when they throw the ball away and are charged with intentional grounding. This means there are no logical receivers in the area and the quarterback is still in the pocket.