The object of the game is to score more points than the
opposing team within the regulation playing time. In
college football, a game can end in a tie if both teams
have scored the same number of points at the end of
regulation time. In case of a tie in an exhibition or
regular-season professional game, the teams play an
overtime period, known as sudden death, in which the
first team to score is declared the winner. If neither
team has scored at the end of this 15-minute overtime
period, then the tie is allowed to stand. In
professional playoff games no ties are allowed, and the
teams play until one scores.
A team scores a touchdown when one of its players
carries the ball into the opposing team's end zone or
catches a pass in the end zone. A touchdown is worth 6
points. After a team has scored a touchdown, it tries
for an extra-point conversion. This is an opportunity to
score an additional one or two points with no time
elapsing off the game clock. In college football, the
offensive team lines up 3 yd (2.7 m) from the goal line
of the opponents and passes, kicks, or runs with the
ball. A running or passing conversion in which the ball
crosses the goal line counts for 2 points. A conversion
by place-kick that propels the ball between the
goalposts and over the crossbar counts for 1 point. In
professional football, the offensive team lines up 2 yd
(1.8 m) from the goal line. A conversion attempted by
place-kicking the ball is worth 1 point. In 1994 the NFL
introduced the running or passing 2-point conversion.
On offense, teams may also attempt to score by kicking a
field goal, which counts for 3 points. A field goal is
scored by means of a place-kick, in which one player
holds the ball upright on the ground for a teammate to
kick. For a successful field goal, the ball must be
kicked between the goalposts and over the crossbar.
After each field goal and extra-point conversion, the
scoring team must kick off to its opponents.
Finally, a defensive team earns two points for a safety
when it causes the team on offense to end a play in
possession of the ball behind its own goal line. If the
offensive team downs the ball behind its line
intentionally, in certain situations, such as after
receiving a kickoff, the play is known as a touchback
and does not count in the scoring. When the offensive
team suffers a safety, it must punt the ball to the
opponents to restart play. |
