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Your Guide to Canadian Football Field Goal Rules
A field goal in Canadian football is a kick that goes over the crossbar and between the uprights of the opponent’s goalposts. To be a legal field goal, the ball must be kicked from the field of play and travel through the uprights. This action is a crucial way to score points in Canadian football scoring.
The Basics of Canadian Football Kicking Rules
Canadian football has a unique set of rules that govern kicking, and field goals are no exception. These rules ensure fair play and create exciting strategic opportunities. Unlike American football, Canadian football features a longer field and wider goalposts, which significantly impacts CFL field goal distance and strategy.
The Canadian Football Field Goal Process
Attempting a field goal involves several key components: the snap, the hold, and the kick. Each element requires precision and coordination.
The Snap
The snap is the initial pass from the center to the holder. This must be a clean, quick pass directly between the center’s legs. Any fumbled snap can disrupt the entire play and lead to a turnover.
The Hold
The holder positions the ball for the kicker. This role is critical, as the holder must receive the snap cleanly and place the ball at the correct angle and height for the kicker to make a successful field goal. The holder typically stands a few yards behind the line of scrimmage.
The Kick
The kicker’s job is to propel the ball through the uprights and over the crossbar. This requires power, accuracy, and a precise kicking motion. The kicker usually takes a few steps before striking the ball.
Scoring a Field Goal
When a legal field goal is executed successfully, the team receives three points. This is a significant portion of the points available in Canadian football scoring, making field goal attempts a vital part of a team’s offensive strategy, especially when close to the opponent’s end zone.
Navigating the CFL Field Goal Distance
The dimensions of the Canadian football field play a major role in the CFL field goal distance. The field is longer (110 yards from goal line to goal line, plus 20-yard end zones) and wider than its NFL counterpart. The goalposts are also situated at the very back of the end zone, 10 yards behind the goal line. This means a field goal kick must travel at least 20 yards just to reach the goalposts, plus the distance from the line of scrimmage.
Factors Affecting Field Goal Distance
- Line of Scrimmage: The closer the line of scrimmage is to the opponent’s goal line, the shorter the field goal attempt.
- Hash Marks: Canadian football features hash marks that are closer together than in the NFL. This can influence the angle of the kick and, consequently, the effective distance.
- Wind Conditions: Wind can significantly affect the trajectory and distance of a kick.
- Kicker’s Ability: Professional kickers have varying ranges and accuracy.
Comparing CFL and NFL Field Goal Distance
The NFL vs CFL field goal distance comparison is stark. The CFL’s larger field and specific goalpost placement mean that kicks are generally longer. A 40-yard field goal in the NFL might be equivalent to a 30-35 yard field goal in the CFL in terms of the actual distance the ball travels from the kicking spot to the goalposts. This necessitates powerful and accurate kicking from CFL players.
Rules for Field Goals: A Deeper Dive
The rules for field goals in Canadian football cover several scenarios and exceptions that are crucial for players, coaches, and fans to comprehend.
Legal Kicking Zones
A field goal must be kicked from the field of play. This means the kick cannot originate from behind the line of scrimmage if the ball has crossed the plane of the line of scrimmage, or from the end zone unless the ball was brought into the end zone by the kicking team and then kicked from there (though this is exceptionally rare and usually a punt).
The Ball’s Path
For a successful field goal, the ball must pass between the uprights and over the crossbar. If the ball hits either upright and then goes through, it is still considered good.
Illegal Kicks
- Quick Kicks: While “quick kicks” (punts executed unexpectedly during a regular play) are legal in Canadian football, they cannot be used to score a field goal. The intent of the play must be a field goal attempt.
- Kicking Out of Bounds: If the ball goes out of bounds before crossing the goal line or between the uprights, it is not a field goal.
- Blocked Kicks: If a field goal attempt is blocked by the defense and does not cross the goal line or go through the uprights, the play continues. The ball is live, and either team can recover it.
The Role of the Goalposts
The goalposts Canadian football are distinctive. They are H-shaped, with the crossbar 15 feet above the ground and the uprights extending 10 feet above the crossbar. The entire structure is located at the back of the end zone. This placement is a key differentiator from the NFL, where goalposts are on the end line.
Canadian Football Kicking: Beyond the Field Goal
While field goals are a primary focus, understanding Canadian football kicking rules encompasses other types of kicks as well, such as kickoffs and punts. However, for field goal attempts, the rules are specific and important.
Field Goal Attempts and Game Strategy
Coaches must weigh the probability of success on field goal attempts against other options, such as attempting a touchdown or risking a punt. Factors influencing this decision include:
- Score: Trailing late in the game might necessitate going for a touchdown. Leading by a small margin might favor a field goal to extend the lead.
- Field Position: A kick from closer to the opponent’s goal line is more likely to be successful.
- Weather: Strong winds can make even short field goals risky.
- Kicker’s Performance: A reliable kicker increases the confidence in attempting field goals.
- Down and Distance: If it’s third down and the team is too far for a touchdown but within range for a field goal, the decision is often straightforward.
Penalties and Field Goals
Penalties can affect field goal attempts. If a penalty is committed by the defense before the snap, the offense may choose to add the penalty yardage to their line of scrimmage, making the field goal attempt shorter. If the defense commits a penalty during the kick itself (e.g., roughing the kicker), the points may still be awarded, or the offense may opt for a re-kick with penalty yardage.
NFL vs CFL Field Goal Differences
The differences between NFL vs CFL field goal rules and execution are significant, primarily due to field dimensions and goalpost placement.
| Feature | Canadian Football (CFL) | American Football (NFL) |
|---|---|---|
| Field Length | 110 yards (between goal lines) | 100 yards (between goal lines) |
| End Zone Length | 20 yards | 10 yards |
| Goalpost Location | At the back of the end zone (10 yards behind the goal line) | On the end line (at the back of the end zone) |
| Upright Spacing | Wider | Narrower |
| Ball Size | Slightly larger and rounder | Slightly smaller and pointier |
| Effective Distance | Longer, due to goalpost placement | Shorter, due to goalpost placement and field length |
These differences mean that CFL kickers often need more leg strength and a different kicking technique to achieve the same scoring result as their NFL counterparts. The wider uprights in the CFL might offer a slightly larger target, but the increased distance often negates this advantage.
Canadian Football Scoring and Field Goals
Field goals are the second-highest point-scoring play in Canadian football, after a touchdown. Understanding Canadian football scoring highlights the importance of a reliable kicking game.
- Touchdown: 6 points
- Field Goal: 3 points
- Convert (after touchdown): 1 point (kick) or 2 points (play from scrimmage)
- Safety: 2 points
A team that can consistently convert field goal attempts can significantly impact the outcome of a game. Even three points at a critical moment can be the difference between a win and a loss.
Legal Field Goal in Practice
A legal field goal is a culmination of skilled execution and adherence to the rules. For instance, if a snap goes over the holder’s head and they recover it outside the tackle box, they can still attempt a kick. However, if the holder is tackled behind the line of scrimmage, the play is dead, and it’s not a field goal attempt.
The Role of the Officials
Officials play a vital role in adjudicating field goal attempts. They signal a successful kick by raising both arms. If a kick is unsuccessful, they signal it by lowering one arm. They also watch for penalties like offside, illegal blocks, or roughing the kicker.
Canadian Football Kicking Rules: Common Misconceptions
There are often misconceptions about Canadian football kicking rules. For example, some may believe that a blocked field goal attempt is always a turnover. While it often results in the defense gaining possession if they recover the ball, if the ball stays in bounds and is recovered by the kicking team, the play can continue, especially if it was a blocked punt. However, for field goals, if blocked behind the line of scrimmage, it’s often treated like a loose ball.
The Art of the Drop Kick
While exceedingly rare in modern professional football, a drop kick is a legal way to score a field goal or a convert in Canadian football. This involves dropping the ball and kicking it the instant it hits the ground. The rules for field goals permit this, though the technical difficulty makes it almost obsolete in competitive play.
Fathoming the intricacies of Canadian Football Kicking
The Canadian football kicking game is a specialized skill set. Kickers must develop incredible power, accuracy, and mental fortitude. They practice extensively to perfect their technique for both field goals and kickoffs. The pressure of a game-deciding field goal attempt is immense, and only the most skilled and mentally tough kickers can consistently deliver.
Kickoff vs. Field Goal
It’s important to distinguish between kickoffs and field goals. Kickoffs are used to start halves or after scoring. Field goals are attempts to score points by kicking the ball through the goalposts from a scrimmage play. The mechanics of a kickoff are different, as the ball is typically placed on a tee.
Deciphering Canadian Football Scoring
Canadian football scoring is a straightforward yet strategic element of the game. The ability to execute a successful field goal adds a crucial dimension to an offense’s scoring potential, especially when the team is in striking distance of the opponent’s goalposts.
The Impact of the Hash Marks
The placement of the hash marks in Canadian football, closer together than in the NFL, can affect the angle of field goal attempts. Kicking from the sideline on a wider field requires a more precise angle to get the ball between the uprights.
Key Takeaways for Field Goal Attempts
- CFL field goal distance is inherently longer due to field and goalpost dimensions.
- A legal field goal must pass between the uprights and over the crossbar.
- The snap, hold, and kick are crucial for a successful field goal.
- Penalties can significantly impact field goal attempts.
- Canadian football kicking rules apply to all kicks, but field goals have specific scoring requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What happens if a field goal attempt hits the goalposts and goes through?
A1: If a field goal attempt hits either goalpost and then goes through the uprights and over the crossbar, it is considered a successful field goal.
Q2: Can a kicker kick the ball from their own end zone for a field goal?
A2: Theoretically, yes, if the ball is brought into the end zone and kicked from there. However, this is practically unheard of and would result in an extremely long CFL field goal distance. A snap from the end zone would typically lead to a punt or a very risky play.
Q3: What are the dimensions of the goalposts in Canadian football?
A3: The goalposts in goalposts Canadian football are H-shaped, with a crossbar 15 feet above the ground and uprights extending 10 feet above the crossbar. The uprights are 18 feet 6 inches apart.
Q4: How many points is a field goal worth in Canadian football?
A4: A successful field goal is worth 3 points.
Q5: Are there any specific rules about who can attempt a field goal?
A5: No, any player can attempt a field goal, but teams typically use their designated placekicker due to the specialized skill required. The holder must be positioned behind the line of scrimmage.
Q6: What is the difference in field goal kicking between the CFL and NFL?
A6: The primary differences are the CFL field goal distance due to the longer field and goalpost placement, and the slightly larger Canadian football. This generally means CFL kicks are longer and require more power.
Q7: What is a blocked field goal?
A7: A blocked field goal occurs when a defensive player successfully prevents the kicked ball from crossing the line of scrimmage or passing through the uprights. The ball becomes live, and either team can recover it.
Q8: Can a field goal be scored from a punt?
A8: No, a field goal can only be scored from a place kick or a drop kick during a scrimmage play. A punt is a different type of kick with a different scoring mechanism (a single point for kicking it out of the opponent’s end zone without it being returned).
Q9: How do penalties affect field goal attempts in Canadian football?
A9: Penalties against the defense before the snap can result in adding yardage to the line of scrimmage, making the field goal attempt shorter. Penalties against the offense or during the kick can result in a loss of down, a re-kick, or nullification of the points.
Q10: What does “legal field goal” mean?
A10: A “legal field goal” means the kick was executed according to all the rules for field goals, including being kicked from the field of play and the ball passing between the uprights and over the crossbar.