How Far Is the Extra Point in the NFL?

How far is the extra point in the NFL?
The extra point is worth one point. It is usually kicked from the 2-yard line, but it can be kicked from the 1-yard line if the team is inside the 2-yard line when they score a touchdown.

The History of the Extra Point

The extra point is one of the most important parts of the game of football. It is worth one point, and it is usually the difference between winning and losing. The extra point is also one of the most controversial parts of the game, as there have been many changes to the rule over the years. Let’s take a look at the history of the extra point.

The Beginnings of the Extra Point

The history of the extra point is a long and storied one, dating back to the early days of American football. The concept of the extra point was first introduced in 1898 by then-president of the American Professional Football Association (now the National Football League), Jim Thorpe. The rule was simple: if a team scored a touchdown, they could choose to attempt a kick from anywhere on the field, worth one point. This option quickly became popular, as it allowed teams to score more points and potentially win games that they may have otherwise lost.

In 1912, the rule was changed slightly, as teams were now required to kick the ball from placement within five yards of either end zone. This rule remained in place for nearly 50 years, until it was amended once again in 1961. In an effort to increase scoring, the league moved the extra point back to the two-yard line, making it essentially a chip shot for any competent kicker. This rule change resulted in more points being scored overall, but it also made for some interesting strategy decisions during games.

In 2015, the NFL made perhaps its most drastic change to the extra point yet, moving it back 13 yards to the 15-yard line. The hope is that this will encourage more teams to try for two-point conversions, which are worth more points and require greater skill to execute successfully. Only time will tell if this new rule change will be permanent or if it will be modified again in the future.

The Rise of the Extra Point

Extra points were introduced in 1912, and for nearly 50 years, they were kicked from the Vinatieri 15-yard line. In 1958, the extra point was moved to the 2-yard line to make it more challenging, but it remained a near automatic points for another four decades.

In 1994, the league moved the extra point back to the 12-yard line, where it remains today. The new rule made the extra point slightly more challenging, but it was still an easy points for skilled kickers.

In 2015, the league attempted to make the extra point even more challenging by moving it back to the 15-yard line. This experiment was short-lived, as kickers quickly adjusted and made nearly 90% of their attempts.

The current extra point rules are likely to remain in place for the foreseeable future, as there is no appetite among owners or coaches to make the kick any more difficult than it already is.

The Current Extra Point Rule

In the NFL, the current rule for the extra point is that it is kicked from the 2 yard line. This was changed from the old rule, which was that it was kicked from the 1 yard line. The extra point is worth 1 point, and is typically used after a touchdown is scored.

The New Extra Point Rule

In 2015, the NFL changed the extra point rule. The new rule placed the ball at the 15 yard line for an extra point attempt. This made the extra point a 33 yard field goal attempt. In 2017, the rule was tweaked again. Now, if a team electing to go for two fails, they get an opportunity to redeem themselves with another chance from the 12 yard line.

This rule has been widely criticized by fans and analysts alike. Many people believe that it takes away from the excitement of the game and makes it too easy for teams to score.

The Controversy Surrounding the New Rule

In 2015, the National Football League (NFL) implemented a new rule for the extra point kick. The new rule stated that the kick would be taken from the 15-yard line instead of the 2-yard line, making it a 33-yard kick. This new rule was met with mixed reactions from players, coaches, fans, and critics.

There are those who support the new rule, saying that it will add excitement to the game and make it more challenging. They also argue that it will encourage teams to go for a 2-point conversion instead of kicking the extra point, which is more exciting for fans to watch.

On the other hand, there are those who are against the new rule. They argue that 33 yards is too long of a distance for most kickers to make consistently, and that it will lead to more missed extra points. They also argue that it devalues the importance of the extra point in general.

The new extra point rule has been in effect for two seasons now, and it remains to be seen whether or not it will be permanent or if it will be changed again in the future.

The Future of the Extra Point

The NFL has been toying with the idea of changing the extra point for a while now. In 2015, they moved the extra point back from the 2-yard line to the 15-yard line, making it a 33-yard kick. This made the extra point a little more challenging, but it is still an almost automatic points for most teams. The NFL is now considering making the extra point a 50-yard kick, which would make it much more challenging.

The Proposed Changes to the Extra Point

The National Football League has proposed changes to the extra point, which could see the play moved back to the 15-yard line. This would make it a 32-yard kick, rather than the current 20 yards. The league has also proposed making the two-point conversion a permanent part of the game, rather than an option that teams can choose to go for or not.

The Potential Impact of the Changes

In May, NFL owners approved a proposal to move the extra point back to the 15-yard line, making it a 33-yard kick. The league also gave coaches the option to go for two points from the 2-yard line. These changes will likely have a significant impact on how teams approach the extra point, and could lead to more exciting and competitive football.

There are a few potential outcomes of these changes. First, we could see more teams going for two points as the 33-yard kick becomes more difficult. This would add an element of strategy and excitement to the game, as teams would need to decide whether to go for one or two points in different situations. Additionally, we could see more teams going for onside kicks in order to recover the ball and keep possession. This would also make the game more exciting, as fans would never know when a team might try an onside kick. Finally, we could see more missed extra points, which would add another layer of suspense to the end of close games.

Regardless of what happens, these changes are sure to have a big impact on how football is played and enjoyed by fans.