Understanding how points are scored and the tactics teams use during a game is key to appreciating the strategy in American football. While touchdowns are the most exciting way to score, there are several other ways teams can put points on the board. Along with the scoring system, teams must make tactical decisions throughout the game, such as when to punt or attempt a field goal, as well as how to manage the clock in critical moments.
Let’s break down the basics of scoring and key tactics that shape every football game.
Types of Scoring
In American football, there are four main ways to score points: touchdowns, field goals, extra points (or two-point conversions), and safeties. Each type of score affects a team’s strategy, depending on how the game is progressing.
Touchdown (6 Points)
A touchdown is the ultimate goal of every offensive drive. It’s worth 6 points and occurs when a player carries the ball into the opponent’s end zone or catches a pass while standing in the end zone. The end zone is located at either end of the field, and it’s where most of the scoring happens.
Touchdowns can be scored through both running and passing plays, and they provide a huge momentum boost for the team that scores. After a touchdown, the team has an opportunity to add even more points, leading to the next two types of scoring.
Extra Point (1 Point) or Two-Point Conversion (2 Points)
After scoring a touchdown, the team has two options to add extra points:
- Extra Point (1 Point): The team can choose to kick a short field goal from the 15-yard line. This is called an extra point or PAT (point after touchdown). The kick is usually routine for most teams and adds 1 point to the 6 points already earned from the touchdown, making the total 7 points.
- Two-Point Conversion (2 Points): Instead of kicking the extra point, the team can attempt a two-point conversion, which is a single play from the 2-yard line. If the offense can get the ball into the end zone again (by either running or passing), they earn 2 additional points. Teams typically go for two-point conversions when they need extra points to catch up or when the game situation calls for a more aggressive approach.
Field Goal (3 Points)
A field goal is worth 3 points and is usually attempted when the offense is close to the opponent’s end zone but cannot score a touchdown. The team’s kicker attempts to kick the ball through the uprights of the goalposts, which are positioned at the back of the end zone.
Field goals are typically attempted on fourth down when a team feels they’re within range of their kicker’s abilities but too far away to risk going for a first down or touchdown. Field goals are critical in close games, where every point counts.
Safety (2 Points)
A safety occurs when the defense tackles an offensive player with the ball in the offense’s own end zone. This rare play is worth 2 points for the defense and results in the team that was on offense being forced to kick the ball back to the defense after the safety.
Safeties usually happen when the offense is backed up deep in their own territory, and the defense applies intense pressure, causing a tackle in the end zone. Safeties can also occur due to penalties like intentional grounding in the end zone.
Tactical Choices: Punting vs. Going for It, When to Attempt a Field Goal
American football is as much about strategy as it is about physical ability. Coaches and players constantly make tactical decisions based on field position, time left in the game, and the score. Here are a few key moments where tactics play a significant role:
Punting vs. Going for It on Fourth Down
When a team fails to gain 10 yards after three downs, they must decide what to do on fourth down. They can either punt the ball away to the opposing team or attempt to gain the necessary yardage for a first down, risking a turnover on downs if they fail.
- Punting: Punting is the safer choice when a team is far from the opponent’s end zone or when they don’t have a high probability of converting the fourth down. A successful punt pushes the opponent further back in their own territory, giving the defense a better chance to prevent a score.
- Going for It: Teams often choose to “go for it” on fourth down when they’re close to the first down marker or when they’re in a critical game situation, such as trailing late in the game. While riskier, converting a fourth down keeps the offensive drive alive and puts the team in a better position to score.
When to Attempt a Field Goal
Field goals are a crucial part of a team’s scoring strategy, especially in close games. Coaches must decide when their team is close enough to the opponent’s end zone to attempt a field goal. The decision often depends on the kicker’s range and accuracy, the game situation, and whether a field goal could change the momentum or outcome of the game.
A team might attempt a field goal if they’re within range but too far to risk going for a touchdown. However, if they’re behind by more than three points or need a touchdown to win, they may choose to go for it on fourth down instead of settling for the field goal.
Clock Management and Game-Ending Strategies
Managing the clock effectively is one of the most critical aspects of American football strategy, especially in the final moments of each half. Teams must use their timeouts wisely and plan their plays to either stop the clock or keep it running, depending on the situation.
Running vs. Passing
- Running the Ball: When a team wants to keep the clock running, they will often run the ball. After a running play, the clock continues unless the ball carrier goes out of bounds or the team calls a timeout. Teams with a lead late in the game will run the ball to burn time off the clock, limiting the opponent’s chances to mount a comeback.
- Passing the Ball: Passing plays offer more potential for big gains, but if the pass is incomplete, the clock stops. Teams that need to score quickly will pass more frequently to stop the clock and preserve time. However, they risk incomplete passes, which could lead to a turnover on downs.
Two-Minute Drill
When time is running out, and a team needs to score quickly, they’ll use a strategy called the two-minute drill. In this situation, the offense runs plays at a faster pace, often avoiding running plays to stop the clock on incomplete passes or by getting out of bounds. They’ll also use timeouts to save precious seconds.
Kneel-Down (Victory Formation)
If a team has the lead and only needs to run out the clock to win, they’ll often use the kneel-down or victory formation. In this strategy, the quarterback takes the snap and immediately kneels, allowing the clock to run without risking a turnover.
The Strategy Behind Scoring and Game Tactics
American football isn’t just about scoring points—it’s about knowing when and how to score. The types of scoring, combined with tactical decisions like punting, going for it on fourth down, and clock management, all play a crucial role in how a game unfolds. Understanding these key strategies helps reveal the deeper layers of the game, where each decision can influence the outcome.