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That was determined decades ago as the minimum distance a kicker should be able to get a kick off without it being easily blocked, and also gave the right angle to get the ball up high enough over lineman with their hands up. They would go to a shorter distance if they could as they want to be as close to the goal posts as possible.

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Q: Why is nfl place kicker 7 yards behind line of scrimmage?
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If the quarterback is 5 yards behind the line of scrimige what is that called?

When they are five yards behind the line of scrimmage they call that the SHOTGUN formation.


A quarterback take the ball from the line of scrimmage back 16 yards then throws it 40 yards forward what is the balls displacement?

The displacement would be 24 yards from the line of scrimmage. The distance traveled would be 56 yards.


Who has the longest run from scrimmage in a super bowl?

Willie Parker (75 yards)


Who gets the rushing yards on an option play?

That would depend on when the ball was lateralled to the running back. If the ball was lateralled behind the line of scrimmage, the running back would be credited with all of the yards. But if the ball was lateralled past the line of scrimmage, the quarterback would be credited with the number of yards he had gained before lateralling and the running back would be credited with the rest. Example: Ball is at the offense's 30 yard line. Offense runs an option play. The quarterback gets to the 32 yard line and laterals to the running back who gets knocked out of bounds at the 45. The play gained 15 yards. Since the quarterback lateralled the ball at the 32, and the original line of scrimmage was the 30, the quarterback would be credited with 2 yards rushing and the running back would be credited with 13 yards rushing.


If a running back fumbles the ball and the other team recovers are the yards gained prior to the fumble counted for the running backs stats?

Yes. The running back will get credit for the number of yards past the line of scrimmage the fumble occurred. If the line of scrimmage was at the defense's 20 yard line and the fumble occurred at the defense's 14 yard line, the running back would be credited with 6 yards rushing. If the line of scrimmage was at the defense's 14 yard line and the fumble occurred at the defense's 20 yard line, the running back would be credited with -6 yards rushing.

Related questions

What is the penelty for holding behind the line of scrimmage?

10 yards from the spot of the foul. So if the hold occurred 5 yards behind the line of scrimmage, then the penalty would be a 15 yard penalty from the previous line of scrimmage. The down would be replayed.


How can you tell where to place the ball for a field goal attempt?

The general rule is to spot the ball 7 yards behind the line of scrimmage. This distance gives the kicker enough time to get the kick off without worrying about an unblocked defender on the end of the line swooping in to block it.


How far behind the line of scrimage does a field goal kicker put the ball behind the line of scrimage?

Typically it's 7 yards. So if the line of scrimmage is on the 35 yard line then you add 7 yards for the kickers depth behind the line and then 10 yards for the depth of the endzone totaling in a 52 yard field goal.


Is the distance of field goal measured from the kicking spot or the line of scrimmage?

A field goal is measured from where the ball is kicked from, not from the line of scrimmage. If Team A is kicking a field goal from the 20 yard line, the distance of the field goal would me measured as follows: Length to Goal Line: 20 Yards Length of Endzone: 10 Yards Place of Kick: 7 yards behind the line of scrimmage (typically kicks made from 6 to 7 yards behind the los) Total Distance of Field Goal: 37 yards.


If the quarterback is 5 yards behind the line of scrimige what is that called?

When they are five yards behind the line of scrimmage they call that the SHOTGUN formation.


What are negative yards?

In football negative yards are yards lost which happens if the ball carrier is tackled behind the line of scrimmage.


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.


On a field goal attempt can a team place the football down beyond the normal 7 yards in order to help prevent blocked kicks?

Yes. There is no rule specifing how far behind the line of scrimmage the kick must take place. Seven yards is usually used as it is the shortest distance behind the line of scrimmage that the kick can take place without fear of it being blocked, if the blockers do their jobs.


Can an extra point legally be kicked from more than 7 yards behind the line of scrimmage?

no it cannot


What is the longest penalty given in NFL game ie 15 yards?

The longest penalty in an NFL game is undefined. A defensive pass interference penalty is assessed from the line of scrimmage to the spot of the foul. If the spot of the foul is 30 yards beyond the line of scrimmage, the penalty is 30 yards. If the spot of the foul is 18 yards past the line of scrimmage, the penalty is 18 yards. If the spot of the foul is 9 yards past the line of scrimmage, the penalty is 9 yards. A defensive pass interference penalty is the only penalty that can be longer than 15 yards.


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.


How many yards do you get for roughing the kicker?

15 yards!