C
Clarity News Hub

Can you still drop kick a field goal in the NFL?

Author

Daniel Moore

Published Jan 23, 2026

Believe it or not, the dropkick remains a legal maneuver in the National Football League today. It still exists in the NFL's official rule book. Rule 3, Section 18, Article 1, Item 1 defines the dropkick as, "a kick by a player who drops the ball and kicks it as, or immediately after, it touches the ground."

Can you do a drop kick for a field goal in the NFL?

Field Goals and Extra Points

An NFL kicker can use either a drop kick or a placekick to kick the ball through the uprights of the opponent's goal for field goals from behind the line of scrimmage, or to score an extra point following a touchdown.

When was the last drop kick field goal in the NFL?

The last successful drop kick before Flutie's was converted two weeks after Pearl Harbor, on December 21, 1941, by Ray “Scooter” McLean. After the game, Patriots coach and avid football historian Bill Belichick said, “I think Doug deserves it …

Why don't they drop kick in the NFL?

The NFL rulebook says the kicker must contact the ball "as, or immediately after, it touches the ground." That's not legal, Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub said. "It's not considered a drop kick because you have to kick it simultaneously as it hits the ground," Toub said.

Can you punt a field goal in the NFL?

A field goal cannot be scored on a punt kick. By contrast, the now very rarely attempted drop kick can be used to score either field goals or extra points in both American and Canadian football.

39 related questions found

Can kicking team recover blocked punt?

The league went on to explain why, via Twitter. "The punt is blocked and goes beyond the line of scrimmage, where it's touched by the receiving team. Since the receiving team touches the ball beyond the line of scrimmage, the kicking team is eligible to recover the ball.

Can you throw the ball for a field goal?

A field goal (FG) is a means of scoring in gridiron football. To score a field goal, the team in possession of the ball must place kick, or drop kick, the ball through the goal, i.e., between the uprights and over the crossbar.

Are drop kicks still legal?

Believe it or not, the dropkick remains a legal maneuver in the National Football League today. It still exists in the NFL's official rule book. Rule 3, Section 18, Article 1, Item 1 defines the dropkick as, "a kick by a player who drops the ball and kicks it as, or immediately after, it touches the ground."

Is a drop kick worth 2 points?

In Arena football, a drop-kicked extra point counts for two points rather than one and a drop-kicked field goal counts for four points rather than three.

Can you drop kick a kickoff?

A dropkick or placekick may be used for a kickoff. Note: During a placekick on a kickoff, the kicking team may use a manufactured tee that is one inch in height and approved by the League. Once the ball has been placed on the kicking tee, the kicking tee cannot be moved.

Does a drop kick have to hit the ground?

A drop kick in rugby union is a type of kick that involves someone dropping a ball and then kicking when it hits the ground, in contrast to a punt wherein the dropper kicks the ball without letting it hit the ground first.

Why is it called a pooch kick?

The first pooch kick actually occurred by mistake when 49ers kicker Ray Wersching miskicked a kickoff. Wersching's miskick resulted in a short, low, oddly-bouncing ball that was difficult for the receiving team to field and control.

What is the shortest field goal in NFL history?

The longest field goal (Tom Dempsey, 63 yards) and shortest field goal (Tom Dempsey, 8 yards) in Saints history occurred in the same game (11/8/70 vs. Detroit)

Is drop kick legal in college football?

A legal kick is a punt, drop kick or place kick made according to the rules by a player of Team A before a change of team possession. Kicking the ball in any other manner is illegal (A.R.

When can you drop kick in the NFL?

In a statement to Pro Football Talk, the NFL insinuated that the kick was never legal at all. "By definition, a drop kick is a kick by a player who drops the ball and kicks it as, or immediately after, it touches the ground.

Can you kick a field goal on 1st down?

If the kicker misses the field goal on first, second, or third down, the ball is turned over to the opposing team. The kicking team does not get additional attempts. This is why teams rarely go for a field goal on anything except fourth down.

Has anyone ever made a field goal on a kickoff?

The fair catch kick rule is very rarely used in the NFL. The last player to attempt a fair catch field goal was Phil Dawson, who tried a 71-yarder for the 49ers in 2013. Slye's field goal attempt was actually only the fifth fair catch kick attempted in the NFL over the past 20 years.

Can you kick a field goal from anywhere?

A football team can kick a field goal from anywhere on the field. If the field goal is missed, the ball will be placed back at the original line of scrimmage and the defense will gain possession on first down.

What's the longest field goal kick?

The Broncos kicker slugged a 64-yard field goal in December of 2013 against the Titans. It didn't finish the game off but it did send Denver to the halftime tunnel extremely pumped up. Justin Tucker is responsible for the longest field goal in NFL history.

Can a field goal bounce off the ground?

It's dead when it hits the upright or crossbar, unless it goes on to score a field goal (eg, it can bounce through off the upright.)

Can a kicker catch his own punt?

Yes, when punting the punter himself as well as any of his teammates have the option to catch the ball. Though when a punt is caught by the punting team they do not remain in possession of the ball.

Is a blocked field goal a live ball?

Yes, if the blocked kick is between the line of scrimmage and the goal line but not on or over the goal line, the ball remains live until the kicking team recovers it, the ball rolls out of bounds, the ball rolls into the end zone or the ball rolls dead and the official deems the play over.

Can you run into the punter if you block it?

Rule Summary View Official Rule. No defensive player may run into or rough a kicker who kicks from behind the line unless such contact: is incidental to and occurs after the defender has touched the kick in flight.

Will a woman ever play in the NFL?

Women are now welcome in the NFL.