What’s the Longest Field Goal in the NFL?

Have you ever wondered what the longest field goal in the NFL is? Well, we’ve got the answer for you! Check out this blog post to find out!

The History of the Field Goal

The field goal is one of the most important aspects of football. The game would be quite different without it. Invented in 1883 by Walter Camp, the field goal has changed the game of football and has become a staple of the sport.

The first field goal

The first field goal in NFL history was kicked by Bert Rechichar of the Baltimore Colts on September 28, 1952, in a 28-27 Colts win over the Detroit Lions. Rechichar’s kick came from 47 yards out, and at the time it was the longest field goal in NFL history.

The longest field goal

In the NFL, the longest field goal ever made was 64 yards, by Matt Prater of the Denver Broncos. That’s a long way to kick a football!

How did this happen? Well, in 2013, the NFL implemented a new rule that allowed for more flexible placement of the ball on kickoffs. This meant that teams could choose to have the ball placed at the 35-yard line instead of the 30, which encouraged more touchbacks and made it easier for teams to score points on field goals.

As a result of this rule change, we’ve seen an increase in the number of long field goals being attempted—and made—in the NFL. In fact, in just the past two seasons (2015 and 2016), there have been 13 field goals made from 50 yards or more. That’s more than double the number of 50-plus-yarders in any other two-year span in NFL history!

So if you’re looking to see a long field goal attempted—and maybe even made—in an NFL game, your best bet is to watch one from recent years. Thanks to that rule change, we could be seeing even longer field goals in the future.

How the Field Goal is Made

The field goal is one of the most important aspects of football. A field goal is worth three points and can be the difference between winning and losing a game. So, how is a field goal made? Let’s take a look.

The kicking tee

The kicking tee was introduced in football in the late 19th century and was originally made of wood. The modern kicking tee is made of plastic and is elevated off the ground, usually about 2-3 inches. The kicking tee helps the kicker to get a consistent height and contact on the ball for a more accurate kick.

The kicking net

The kicking net is a structure that is used to support the goal posts and the crossbar. It is made of strong nylon or polyester fabric and is typically 18 feet wide by 6 feet tall. The net is attached to the posts and crossbar with thick cords or straps.

The kicking net is positioned behind the goal line and extends from one end zone to the other. It is placed 10 yards from the back of the end zone and 5 yards from the sidelines. The net catches the football after it is kicked through the uprights.

When a field goal is made, the net slows down the ball so it can be caught by the defensive team. If the ball hits the ground before it is caught, it is considered a live ball and can be picked up by either team.

The holder

The field goal is worth three points and is the most common way to score in football. It is usually attempted on fourth down, when the offense is too far from the end zone to score a touchdown, or at the end of the game when one team is trying to come from behind.

The kick is made by a placekicker who holds the ball on a tee or on the ground. The holder, usually another member of the kicking team, puts his fingers under the center of the ball and balances it on his fist. He then sets it down on the ground pointing in the direction of the goal posts.

The Rules of the Field Goal

To attempt a field goal, the kicking team must line up at least ten yards from the line of scrimmage. The team has three downs, or attempts, to move the ball ten yards closer to the end zone, making it fourth down. If they fail to do so, the opposing team gains possession of the ball. If the kicking team is within thirty yards of the end zone, they may attempt a field goal.

The placement of the ball

The ball must be place-kicked or drop-kicked from behind the line of scrimmage, and only a player who is on the kicking team may pick up or catch the ball before it touches the ground in order to gain possession. It is legal to bat the ball in any direction once it has touched the ground. The ball becomes dead once it comes to rest, and the down is over.

The kicking team

The kicking team is the team that is trying to score points by kicking the ball through the goalposts. This team is made up of the kicker, who is the player who kicks the ball, and the holders, who are the players who hold the ball for the kicker.

The holder must hold the ball for the kicker in a way that allows him to kick it through the goalposts. He must also be sure that the ball is not touching any part of the ground when he kicks it. If it is, it will be called a “foul.”

The kicking team also has “snappers,” who are players who help get the ball ready for the kicker. They do this by holding the ball in place while another player on their team (the “long snapper”) snaps it back to them. The long snapper’s job is to make sure that the ball gets back to the holder in one piece and in a way that allows him to kick it through the goalposts.

The receiving team

The basic rules for the receiving team are pretty simple: catch the ball, don’t get touched by an opponent, and stay in bounds. Once you have possession of the ball, you can run with it or pass it to a teammate, but if an opponent tackles you before you pass or score, the play is dead. There are also a few other circumstances that can bring a play to an end, like if the ball goes out of bounds or if a penalty is called.

The Different Types of Field Goals

Every year, there are a few players that attempt a field goal from 60+ yards out. The longest field goal made in an NFL game is 64 yards, which has been accomplished nine times in NFL history. There are a few different types of field goals that players can attempt in a game.

The drop kick

At one time, the drop kick was the most common type of field goal attempted in the NFL. In a drop kick, the kicker drops the ball and then kicks it as it bounces off the ground. This requires a great deal of skill and accuracy, as the ball must be kicked perfectly to ensure that it goes through the uprights.

Unfortunately, the drop kick is no longer as commonly used as it once was, as it has largely been replaced by the placekick. However, there have been a few notable drop kicks in recent years, such as one by New England Patriots’ kicker Stephen Gostkowski in 2014.

The place kick

The place kick is the most common type of field goal, and is what most people think of when they think of a “field goal.” The kicker kicks the ball off of a tee, and tries to make the ball go between the uprights and over the crossbar. The place kick is used for shorter field goals, typically under 40 yards.

There are a few different variations of the place kick. The drop kick is when the kicker drops the ball and then kicks it as it bounces off the ground. This was once a common way to attempt field goals, but has mostly been replaced by the place kick. The pop kick is when the holder holds the ball on his finger tips and then kicked it as high as he can so that it comes down going over the bar. This is also not used very often anymore.

The punt

A kick in football is an act of kicking the ball to score points or make sustained forward progress.

Kicks are used for a variety of purposes, including:
– To score points
– To make sustained forward progress
– To gain possession of the ball (known as a touchback)
– To kick the ball out of bounds to stop play and give the opposing team poor field position (known as a “punt”)

Kicking is often one of the most important aspects of the game, and there are a variety of kicking styles and techniques that can be employed depending on the situation.

The Field Goal in the NFL Today

Field goals are becoming more and more important in the NFL as the game becomes more and more competitive. The longest field goal in the NFL today is 63 yards, which was set by Matt Prater in 2013.

The extra point

In the NFL today, the extra point is worth one point. It is typically kicked from the 2-yard line, but it can be kicked from the 1-yard line if the game is played in a stadium with a field goal post that is less than 10 yards away from the end zone. If it is kicked from the 1-yard line, it is worth two points.

The longest field goal in NFL history was made by Denver Broncos’ kicker Matt Prater, who kicked a 64-yard field goal on December 8, 2013.

The two-point conversion

The two-point conversion was introduced in the NFL in 1994. The idea was to add excitement to the game and make it more competitive. And it has certainly done that!

The two-point conversion is worth two points, just like a touchdown. The only difference is that it is attempted from the two-yard line instead of the one-yard line.

So, why don’t teams just go for the two-point conversion all the time?

Well, it’s not as easy as it sounds! In fact, it’s actually quite difficult to convert a two-point attempt. The success rate is only about 33%. That means that, on average, teams only convert one out of every three attempts.

So, while the two-point conversion does add excitement to the game, it also adds a lot of pressure on the team attempting it.

The onside kick

The onside kick is a play used in gridiron football as a desperate last-ditch effort to retain possession of the ball after a score or turnover. An onside kick is attempt to regain possession of the ball by kicking the ball short so that one of the kicking team’s players can recover it before it is touched by the opposing team.

On most occasions, an onside kick is taken when the kicking team trails in the score and is in desperate need of regaining possession to have any realistic chance of winning the game. Typically, an onside kick is taken with few seconds remaining on the game clock.

In order for an onsidekick to be successful, not only must the ball travel ten yards (9.1 meters) without being touched by members of the opposing team, but one of the members of the kicking team must recover it; if not, then possession goes over to the other team at that spot.