What is a touchback in football?
How a touchback works
On a kickoff or punt, the receiving team can take the ball into the end zone and down it there. This is a touchback. The result is no return yardage, and the offense starts from a set spot instead of where the ball was caught.
Touchbacks have changed over the years in the NFL, and the spot where the ball is placed has moved in recent seasons. Teams often weigh whether to take a touchback or return the kick, depending on field position and game situation.
- Ball is downed in the end zone by the receiving team
- No return yardage is gained
- Ball is placed at a set spot, such as the 25-yard line in the NFL
- A touchback does not score points
Touchback versus a safety
A touchback is sometimes confused with a safety, but the two are very different. A touchback happens on a kick, and the receiving team simply starts from its spot. A safety is a scoring play worth two points for the defense.
Knowing the difference helps fans follow field position, which often decides how far a team has to drive to score.
Common mistakes
- Thinking a touchback scores points for the receiving team.
- Confusing a touchback with a safety, which is a scoring play.
