Field goal

From Freepedia

A field goal (formerly "goal from the field") is a general term used in some sports wherein a goal may be scored either during general play ("from the field") or via some sort of free shot.

The term has been used in American & Canadian football, rugby union and rugby league. However, the term is somewhat obsolete in rugby union, where one is apt to refer now only to the drop goal. Also, the term is now a misnomer in American and Canadian football, where the rules have been rewritten to refer to all forms of goal scored as "field goal", even if from a free kick.

Rugby football

A field goal or drop goal is scored by drop kicking the ball above the crossbar and between the uprights. Typically, it is only used for goals scored during open play — place kicks are usually used for penalties and conversions. However, in the Sevens version of both codes and the Nines version of league, all conversions must be drop kicks. A drop goal is worth three points in rugby union and one point in rugby league (in league, more commonly known as a field goal); conversions are worth two points in both codes.

Two finals in the Rugby Union World Cup have been decided by drop goals in extra time. South Africa's victory margin in 1995 came from a Joel Stransky drop goal in extra time. Jonny Wilkinson duplicated the feat for England in 2003.

In rugby league, since the reduction of their value from two points to one in the early 1970's, the field goal's primary use has been in the latter stages of match in order to break a deadlock, or for "insurance" points. With the introduction of the golden point in the National Rugby League, the field goal is often the first choice option when looking to secure a win. Generally though, a team will opt for a more attacking kick, in hopes of scoring a try, or else kick to gain field position.

American and Canadian football

A field goal may be scored only by a place kick or drop kick. The ball must pass over a crossbar 10 feet off the ground and between upright posts 18' 6" (5.64 m) apart, to count, and the kick must not be a kickoff. The rules of the particular sanctioning authority (i.e. professional or amateur league) may impose additional requirements. A successful field goal scores three points.

The current record for the longest field goal in the NFL is 63 yards by Tom Dempsey in 1970 and Jason Elam in 1998.

The current record for the longest field goal in the CFL is 62 yards by Paul McCallum in 2001.

The current record for NCAA College Football Division 1-A is 67 yards and held by three people:

• Russel Erxleben on October 10, 1977
• Steve Little on October 15, 1977
• Joe Williams on October 21, 1978

It should be noted that these record kicks were made at a time when NCAA rules, unlike professional rules, permitted the holder on the field goal attempt to use a kicking tee to assist him in holding the ball steady. Use of tees on field goal attempts is no longer permitted at the collegiate level.

In recent years, NFL Europe has experimented with a rule that awards four points for any field goal kicked 50 yards or more.

In Arena Football, a field goal scored by drop kick is worth four points.

Basketball

In basketball, the term "field goal" has been borrowed from American football by American sports commentators to refer to successful long-distance throw shots.

In modern times, though, basketball commentators use the term to refer to any shot not made at the free throw line, including short-range layups and dunks.