What is an extra point in football?
Kick or conversion
After a touchdown, the scoring team can attempt a try to add points. The traditional try is a kick through the uprights, worth one point. In the NFL, the kick is usually taken from the 15-yard line, so the snap and hold must be executed correctly to make it good.
Instead of kicking, the team can run or pass the ball into the end zone from the 2-yard line. A successful play is worth two points. The coach decides which try to attempt, and the choice often depends on the score and the time left in the game.
- Kick is worth one point
- Two-point try is worth two points
- NFL two-point attempts start at the 2-yard line
- Defense can score on a two-point attempt if it returns a turnover
Why teams choose one or the other
Most teams kick the extra point when the game is in a normal position, because the kick is more reliable than a short run or pass. Teams may go for two when they need a specific score to tie or win, such as after a touchdown that leaves them down by two.
The try is not automatic. Misses happen, and a missed kick or a failed two-point attempt can change how a game plays out in the final minutes.
Common mistakes
- Assuming every extra point is automatic; a kick can be missed or blocked.
- Forgetting that the team picks the try before the play, and that a two-point attempt is worth two.
