Scoring In Football

Scoring in football is surely a momentous event. One needs to work in unison to carry the ball to the end zone despite the best efforts of the opposing team to stifle and limit that objective. It is through a coordination of the right plays and of players doing the right things at the right time which makes the scoring in football one of the most awaited events in a game. Here are the basic ways to score in a game.

1) Touchdown

A touchdown is called to score when during the play a member of the offensive team is able to step into the end zone or get the ball to the end zone by crossing the line or letting the ball cross the corner pylons at the end zone. This can be done by either letting the running back carry the ball, or passing the ball overhead to the awaiting arms of the wide receiver.

Either way, the sheer beauty of the scoring must be marveled at since all the vital cogs of the offense come into play. The offensive line blocks properly to create seams for the running back to run through if the run option is used. If the pass option is chosen, then the offensive line provides the quarterback a pocket wherein he can look downfield to the wide receiver without fear that he would be sacked by the defense. And when the ball reaches the end zone, it is a familiar site that the offensive team celebrates by dancing or jumping to celebrate. This is six points chalked up on the board for the offensive team.

2) Field goal

The field goal is the kicker's domain. There are two available field goals for the kicker to score. The first one is the option to kick the ball from any place on the field, usually after three failed attempts to cross ten (10) yards. If the ball crosses the two upright posts of the goal in the end zone, then a score of three (3) points is made.

The second way to score is after scoring a touchdown. The scoring team is given the opportunity to score one more point, if the punter kicks the ball between the uprights or two points wherein the offensive team attempts again to cross into the end zone to score after scoring a touchdown. This is referred to as the two point conversion.

3) Safety scores and touchbacks

A safety or a touchback is that play of the defense by tackling the offensive team's player handling the ball in their own end zone. This is done when the offensive team attempts to start a play from their own end zone and the defense is able to stop them and tackle the ball handler at their own end zone. This means two (2) points for the defensive team.

These scoring plays are the highlights in a hard fought game. It is the difference between winning and losing. And to see the players celebrate after a score is testament to their skill and dedication to the game.