A touchdown is worth six points, but the next decision can add one more—or two. That short play after a score is called the extra point, and although it often looks routine, its distance and the game situation can make it a meaningful test of a team’s kicking and decision-making.
What is an extra point?
An extra point is the play, formally called a try or point-after-touchdown (PAT), that follows a touchdown. The scoring team gets one attempt to add points:
- Kick the ball through the uprights: worth one point.
- Run or pass the ball into the end zone: worth two points. This is called a two-point conversion.
The try is a separate play from the touchdown. A receiver can catch a touchdown pass, for example, but the team still needs to snap the ball again to attempt its extra point. If the try succeeds, the points are added to the touchdown’s six.
How does the NFL extra point work?
In the NFL, a team attempting the one-point kick snaps the ball from the 15-yard line. The holder sets it up for the kicker, who must send it between the uprights and above the crossbar. With the holder positioned behind the line and the goalposts at the back of the end zone, it is roughly a 33-yard kick.
Before 2015, NFL teams kicked from much closer, and successful extra points were nearly automatic. Moving the attempt back made misses and blocks more likely. A miss earns no points, so the scoreboard stays at the touchdown’s six.
For a two-point conversion, the NFL offense snaps the ball from the 2-yard line. The offense can run or pass, and it must get the ball across the goal line. The defense can stop the attempt, but it can also score: if defenders take possession and return the ball to the opposite end zone, they earn two points.
Extra-point rules in college football
College football uses the same basic choices: a successful kick is one point, while a successful run or pass is two. The main difference is the starting spot. In NCAA football, the try begins from the 3-yard line, making the kick shorter than an NFL extra point.
As in the NFL, the defense can score two points by returning a turnover or blocked kick on a try to the other end zone. Rules and procedures can vary between leagues and levels, so the NFL and college details shouldn’t be assumed to apply identically in every competition.
| Try | NFL starting spot | College starting spot | Points if successful |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kick through the uprights | 15-yard line | 3-yard line | 1 |
| Run or pass into the end zone | 2-yard line | 3-yard line | 2 |
Why would a team go for two?
The choice often comes down to the score, the time left and how much a team trusts its offense. An extra point is the safer route in many situations, while a two-point attempt offers a bigger reward but a greater chance of coming away empty-handed.
For example, if a team is down by eight and scores a touchdown late, a successful two-point conversion ties the game. A kick would leave it one point short, meaning the team would still need another score or a later conversion to catch up. The math can also make going for two sensible after a touchdown when a team is trying to build a particular lead.
Coaches weigh that calculation against the matchup. A team with a powerful short-yardage run game may like its chances near the goal line. Another might prefer a quick pass against a defense that crowds the box. The defense, meanwhile, can bring extra pressure, cover likely receivers or prepare to stop a quarterback sneak.
Teams also consider the kicker and conditions. Wind, rain, a poor snap or a hurried operation can turn a kick into a genuine risk. Even a routine-looking PAT depends on the snapper delivering the ball accurately, the holder setting it cleanly and the kicker making solid contact while defenders try to disrupt the play.
What can go wrong on an extra-point attempt?
A kick can be missed or blocked. A bad snap can prevent the holder from getting the ball down in time, and penalties may force a team to replay the try from a different spot. On a two-point conversion, a pass can be incomplete or intercepted, while a runner can be stopped short of the goal line. Any successful return by the defense can change the score in its favor.
Because the try happens after the touchdown, it is easy to treat it as an afterthought. But a missed kick can affect the rest of a close game. The scoreboard might show a team ahead by six instead of seven, or an earlier choice to go for two might determine whether a later field goal ties the game or leaves the team behind.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is an extra point the same as a field goal?
No. A field goal is a scoring play during normal offensive play and is worth three points. An extra point happens after a touchdown and is worth one if kicked through the uprights.
Can a team score two points on an extra-point play?
Yes. The offense can score two by running or passing into the end zone on a two-point conversion. In the NFL and college football, the defense can also score two by returning a turnover or blocked kick for a touchdown during the try.
Does every touchdown have to be followed by an extra-point attempt?
In general, the scoring team gets a try after a touchdown. The choice is whether to kick for one point or attempt a two-point conversion. Specific end-of-game situations and competition rules can affect whether a try is required.
Why is an NFL extra point longer than a college one?
The NFL places its one-point kick at the 15-yard line, while college football places the try at the 3-yard line. The longer NFL attempt is a deliberate rule difference, not a different kind of kick.
Final Thoughts
An extra point is the scoring chance that follows a touchdown: a kick for one point or a run or pass for two. The kick is usually the lower-risk choice, while a two-point conversion can be the right move when the score demands it. Either way, the play can shape the next few possessions—and sometimes the final result.
Aiden Cross is a sports writer and editor at BeliveSports, covering a broad range of sports with a focus on clear, accurate, and practical information. His work covers rules, techniques, player roles, competitions, equipment, statistics, and the details that help readers better understand how different sports are played. Aiden takes a research-driven approach to sports writing, using reliable sources and established sporting information to provide context rather than simply repeating surface-level facts. His goal is to make complex topics accessible while maintaining the accuracy and depth expected by knowledgeable sports fans. At BeliveSports, Aiden contributes to the site’s editorial standards by focusing on accuracy, clarity, useful context, and reader-first explanations.