Although there are many ways to score in football, a touchdown is a result of carrying the ball across the end zone. A touchdown is the highest scoring play in football, and is really the ultimate goal of the game.
A touchdown occurs when a team crosses the opposing end zone. The goal of the defense is to deny the offense of crossing their goal line and into the endzone. The Objective of the offense is cross the goalline, ultimately scoring the maximum amount of points in a given play in football.
How much is a touchdown worth? A touchdown in football is worth 6 points, whether you score from far away or you score from very close. As the defense tries to keep the offense out of the endzone, the offense can score the highest points possible in one play by crossing the goal line for 6 points.
History of the Touchdown in Football
Football originated in the late 1800’s and the only way to score was to kick the ball through the goal post. Kicking the ball through the goal post in the 1800’s was worth four points. A safety was also added as a way to score points.
For a while a touchdown was worth less than a field goal. Finally, in 1909, the value of a touchdown and field goal changed. A touchdown was worth five points and a field goal, as we know it today, was changed to three points.
In 1912 the points assigned for scoring a touchdown increased to 6 and the true endzone was now defined for the game.
What Happens After a Touchdown is Scored?
Following a touchdown, the ball is placed on the three yard line. The typical play that follows a touchdown is called an extra point. Typically, a team then snaps the ball to a holder, and a kicker attempts to kick the ball through the goal post. This extra point kick is worth one point.
If a team chooses to not kick, they can try a 2-point conversion. This is a normal play that occurs from the three yard line, and you must cross the goal line to receive the points. The 2-point conversion was not installed until 1958 for the college level, 1969 for the high school level, and not until 1994 for the NFL.
Do Teams Typically Strive for Touchdowns or Field Goals?
At one point, early on in the history of football, a field goal was worth more than a touchdown. Team would attempt a field goal more than they would attempt to score a touchdown. As the game evolved, the touchdown became worth more than a field goal. A touchdown became the ultimate score in football.
A touchdown is worth twice as much as a field goal, so coaches much make a decision about whether to attempt a field goal, typically on 4th down, or go for it on 4th down to ultimately score a touchdown.
Depending on the level of play, this question can be asked differently. At the lower levels of football, let’s say high school, teams are much more willing to go for a 4th down conversion than they are to kick a field goal. This is mainly because at the lower levels, it is much more likely to have a kicker that can make field goals on a consistent basis.
In the NFL, there are a lot more attempts for field goals in 4th down situations. NFL teams draft kickers, who are great at their own craft. These kickers can make field goals of anywhere up to about 55 yards, and there are some that have made further.
Can a Defense Score a Touchdown?
Yes, a defense can score a touchdown. This is done in two different ways, through and interception, or through a fumble recovery, typically called a scoop and score.
An interception occurs when a player on defense catches a pass thrown from the quarterback on offense. The quarterback has the objective of completing a pass to his own team, but sometimes, this does not happen and the defense intercepts the pass.
The defense, after intercepting a pass, can then return it towards the opposing end zone. If this does happen, the same point total is assigned as if the offense scored a touchdown; six points.
The other opportunity for a defense to score is if the offense fumbles the ball. This happens when a player on the offense is running with the football, but then loses it. The defense can then fall on the ball, which will bring their offense onto the field. The other option is to what we call a “scoop and score.” The defense can pick the ball up, without going to the ground and return it towards the opposing teams end zone.
Both of these scores are worth six points, and an extra point try is to follow. A defensive score is not as common as an offensive score, but it does happen.
What Happens After a Touchdown and the Extra Point?
Following a touchdown and an extra point attempt, the team that scored is required to kickoff. This happens from different yard lines depending on the level of play, and has actually changed over the years.
When a team kicks off, they may use a “tee,” which is a tool to place the ball off the ground. This play happens as soon as the kicker makes contact with the ball. The kicker is kicking the ball towards the opposing team, who then tries to return it to the opposite end zone. He attempts to return the football as far as possible before being tackled and brought down to the ground by the kickoff team.
Who Typically Scores Touchdowns for the Offense?
Typically the players that score touchdowns are often called “skill players.” These players are those that are not linemen. These players include quarterbacks, running back, and receivers. The rest of the players on an offense are called linemen. Linemen very rarely score touchdowns for an offense.
There are two different ways for an offense to score a touchdown. This can happen when a team runs the ball crosses the goal line. This typically is called a rushing touchdown, but only if the ball was not thrown into the air to a player. These players that score rushing touchdowns are typically the running backs and quarterbacks.
The other way for an offense to score a touchdown is by passing the ball. The quarterback typically is the player that throws passses to a teammate. If that teammate catches the ball and crosses the goal line, it is called a passing touchdown. The players that score passing touchdowns are wide receivers and running backs.
How do Defenses Stop the Offense From Scoring?
A defense has the job of stopping an offense from crossing into their endzone. This is done by either getting the ball back, typically through an interception or a fumble. If this does happen, that teams offense then takes the field again.
Other than that, a defense must hold the offense from gaining 10 yards in four plays. This is done by tackling the player on offense that has the ball, the ball carrier. Tackling can be violent, and is physical in nature. A player that has the ball is considered “down” when he hits the ground.
Who Has Scored the Most Touchdowns in NFL History?
Jerry Rice is the player that has scored the most touchdowns all-time in the history of the NFL. Jerry Rice, a wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers scored 208 touchdowns in his career. He was a dynamic football player, and is considered the best wide receiver all-time. He was a hard worker, who dedicated to being great.
Here is a highlight video of Jerry Rice:
Who Has Scored the Most Points in NFL History?
This is a strange one, because the list is full of kickers; kickers have outscored other players by a longshot. The leading scorer all-time in the NFL is Adam Vinatieri, who scored 2,637 points in his career, kicking extra points and field goals.
Here is Adam Vinatieri’s game winning field goal in Super Bowl XXXVIII
Final Thoughts
Football, one of America’s most popular games, can be exciting, and involves a lot of passion for the players that play as well as the fans that watch it.
The history of football has changed a great deal over there many years of its existence. When Football began, a field goal was the most valued score on the field. I feel goal at that time, was not an easy task, and therefore rewarded like so. Over the years, a touchdown has become the ultimate score in football.
A touchdown is worth six points, with an extra point that follows immediately after the score. The Asher point, if kicked, is worth one point. If a team chooses to run the ball or pass the ball from the 3 yard line and crossed the goal line, this score is worth two points.
The exciting part about football is when teams score a touchdown, whether the touchdown is scored by the offense or the defense. Fans enjoy the athleticism and the excitement of either a running back or a receiver crossing the goal line to score of the ultimate points in football.
The defense attempts to stop the offense from scoring, and in some cases may score themselves. Football is a physical game, but involves a lot of excitement and passion. There have been many great football players over the years that are scored many touchdowns. The game has evolved a lot, whether it’s equipment, scoring, or the strategy behind it. Either way, in the game of football brings a lot of enjoyment and excitement for fans across America.
