What is a 'field goal'?

What is a 'field goal'?

Darrin Chiaverini (Football Coach and Professional Athlete) gives expert video advice on: What are 'special teams' in football?; How much of a football game is spent on special teams?; Who plays on special teams? and more...

A field goal is worth three points and is when the kicker kicks the ball through the uprights. Usually you have your linemen blocking; the center snaps it back to the holder, the holder puts it down, the kicker kicks it, and it's worth three points if it goes through the uprights. Fourth down -- that's when a team will go for a field goal depending on from where they are on the field. It's different than a PAT. A PAT is a 'point after touchdown.' So after a touchdown, you bring the field goal unit team on to kick the ball through the uprights and that's only worth one point. A field goal is worth three because it's not after a touchdown, it's anywhere on the field and depending on how good your kicker is you can do it pretty well from the 40 or 50 yard line.