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That is just how the rule is. Twenty yards are added to each field goal attempt from where the team stopped. It would be a little hard to kick it through the post at the one yard line, so that could be a reason.

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14y ago
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11y ago

Most field goals are kicked from 7 or eight yards behind the line but that is not a rule in the rule book.. The ball must be kicked from behind the line of scrimmage and 7 or 8 yards gives the ball time to rise above the lineman and is back far enough to make blocking a kick with an outside rush difficult. Punts are 14 yards back to give the punter time to kick the ball.

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Q: Why is the football placed eight yards behind the line of scrimmage for a field goal attempt?
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Related questions

How many yards does the football travel to go across the goalpost in a PAT?

In the National Football League, after a touchdown the ball is placed at the two yard line. In college football, after a touchdown the ball is placed at the three yard line. The kicker usually sets up seven yards behind the line of scrimmage. That would make a PAT around 19-20 yards in length.


What is the position behind the line of scrimmage?

AnswerThe line of scrimmage is where the football is placed at the beginning of each play. This line can move forward or backward depending on the gain or loss of each play.Scrimmage, derived from an obsolete variant of skirmish. It basically means a rough-and-tumble struggle; a skirmish. In American football it refers to the contest of each play, beginning with the snap and ending with the dead ball whistle; or a team's practice session.


What is the invisible line called that the ball is placed on after every play?

line of scrimmage


What is he name of the invisible line between teams of football where the football is placed on the ground?

Location is based on the spot where the ball is placed after the end of the most recent play and following the assessment of any penalty yards. A line of scrimmage is parallel to the goal lines and touches one edge of the ball where it sits on the ground prior to the snap. Under NFL and NCAA rules, there are actually two lines of scrimmage at the outset of each play: one that restricts the offense and one that restricts the defense. The area between the two lines (representing the length of the ball as extended to both sidelines) is called the neutral zone. Only the center, the offensive player who snaps the ball, is allowed to have any part of his body in the neutral zone. In order for there to be a legal beginning of a play, a certain number of the players on the offensive team, including certain eligible recievers, must be at, on or within a few inches off their line of scrimmage.


Is the holder and center protected if the kick is placed less than seven yards of the line of scrimmage?

no


What is the line of scrimmage in football?

When the ball carrier is tackled and does not pass ball to teammate or the ball is out of bounds, the play is called a scrum, and the yard line where the last play was downed is called the line of scrimmage. -----In American football, draw a line from sideline to sideline where the ball is put into play on each down and that is the line of scrimmage.


What is the invisible line called in football?

The "invisible" line in football is the Line of Scrimmage.The Line of Scrimmage is the line that divided the offense from the defense, which is located at the tip of the football after it has been placed on the ground, also known as spotting the ball, by the referee. The line extends from sideline to sideline. Players cannot cross the line of scrimmage until the next play begins, and if they do a penalty can be called.If the offense crosses the line of Scrimmage before the ball is snapped, the following penalties can be called:Offsides: 5 yard penalty - This penalty is almost exclusively called on the defense because if an offensive player moves across the line of scrimmage, that player is typically charged with a False Start penalty.If the Defense crosses the line of Scrimmage before the ball is snapped, the following penalties can be called:Neutral Zone Infraction: 5 Yard penaltyEncroachment: 5 yard penaltyOffsides: 5 yard penalty


How long is the NFL PAT?

After a TD, the ball is placed at the 2 yard line. The holder kneels 7 yards behind the line of scrimmage to take the snap. That would make a PAT kick 19 yards in length.


Can the ball be placed seven yards behind the line of scrimmage or can it be placed further back?

The ball must be placed on the line of scrimage before snapped. Assuming you are referring to a place kick or a punt, there is no rule dictating where the ball must be snapped to. Seven yards is standard as it should give the snapper, holder and kicker sufficient time to perform the kick.


What is offsids defense in football?

Defensive offsides is when a defensive player crosses the line of scrimmage, the yard line on which the ball is placed before the play begins, when the quarterback snaps the ball. The defensive player is allowed to accidentally jump across the line of scrimmage as long as he gets back to the defensive side of the ball before the ball is snapped. Offsides is a five yard penalty and a replay of down.


If a football team misses a field goal where does the other team take possession of the football?

The defending team gets the ball after a missed field goal regardless of down Unless the refs call a do over and the team with the ball gets another chance to either run/pass for their extra points or make another kick attempt.


Where is the ball placed for a field goal?

Except in desperate situations, a team will generally attempt a field goal only when keeping a drive alive is unlikely, and their kicker has a significant chance of success, as a missed field goal results in a turnover at the spot of the kick in the NFL; in the NCAA it's at the spot of the snap.