A kick through the uprights and a tackle in the end zone can both add points to an American football scoreboard, but they happen in very different ways. A field goal is a scoring play the offense tries to make; a safety is a result that usually rewards the defense when the offense is trapped in its own end zone.
The quick difference
A field goal is worth three points. The offense scores by kicking the ball through the opponent’s uprights during a play from scrimmage.
A standard safety is worth two points. It is awarded to the defense when the offense is responsible for the ball becoming dead in its own end zone. The rules also allow a safety after certain offensive fouls in that end zone.
| Feature | Field goal | Safety |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 3 | Usually 2 |
| Who generally benefits? | The offense attempting the kick | The opposing team |
| Where does it happen? | The ball is kicked through the opponent’s goalposts | The offense’s own end zone |
| What happens next? | The team that gave up the points receives a kickoff | The team that gave up the points kicks the ball away on a safety kick |
How a field goal works
A field goal attempt starts with a snap from scrimmage. The holder catches the snap and places the ball for the kicker, who tries to send it over the crossbar and between the uprights. If the kick is good, the kicking team gets three points.
Teams often attempt one on fourth down when they are close enough to have a reasonable chance, but not close enough to feel confident about converting for a first down or scoring a touchdown. For example, a team facing fourth-and-long near the opponent’s 25-yard line might choose a field goal rather than risk coming away empty-handed. The kick is made from farther back than the line of scrimmage, so the distance on the scoreboard does not tell the whole story.
A field goal is not guaranteed just because the ball looks headed toward the posts. A kick that misses wide or falls short scores nothing. A blocked kick also scores nothing unless the play develops into a separate scoring situation. Coaches weigh the kicker’s range, wind, distance, score, and game clock before making the call.
After a successful field goal, the team that conceded the points normally receives a kickoff. That gives the offense another chance to answer, which is one reason a late field goal can change a game without ending the opponent’s next possession.
How a safety happens
A safety usually occurs when an offensive player with the ball is tackled or otherwise ruled down in the offense’s own end zone. A runner might be stopped behind the goal line after the defense pushes the pocket backward. A quarterback who is sacked in the end zone can also give up a safety.
The ball does not have to be carried there by the quarterback. If an offensive player fumbles and the ball goes out of bounds behind the offense’s goal line, that can be a safety too. Certain penalties committed by the offense in its own end zone can also result in one.
One important detail: a defender simply entering the end zone does not automatically create a safety. If the defense intercepts a pass in its own end zone and the player is downed there, the result is typically a touchback. But if a defender gains possession, runs out of the end zone, then retreats back into it and is tackled there, a safety may be charged. What matters is how the ball got into the end zone and who is responsible when the play ends.
After a safety, the team that conceded the points must put the ball back into play with a safety kick. In the NFL, the kick is taken from the team’s own 20-yard line, and the rules permit a punt, drop kick, or place kick. Unlike the usual kickoff after a field goal, a safety kick gives the conceding team a different way to send the ball downfield.
Why the distinction matters in a game
The three-point value of a field goal makes it a planned offensive option. A team may use one to extend a lead, take the points available on fourth down, or break a tie. The defense’s goal is to stop the kick or force a miss.
A safety is more often a costly consequence of poor field position. A defense might pin an opponent deep with a punt, then pressure the quarterback until there is no room to escape. Even though a safety is worth one point fewer than a field goal, it can be especially damaging: the team concedes points and then has to kick the ball away.
Picture a team leading by one point late in the fourth quarter. A field goal would add three and strengthen the lead. A safety would add two points to the opponent’s score instead—and give the opponent possession after the safety kick. The two plays may both involve the goal line, but their scoring teams, tactics, and consequences are almost opposites.
Related Articles
- What Is Field Goal Range in American Football?
- What Is the Goal Line in American Football? Explained
- What Is a Safety in American Football? Rules and Points Explained
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a field goal worth more than a safety?
Yes. A successful field goal is worth three points, while a standard safety is worth two.
Can a safety happen without a tackle in the end zone?
Yes. A safety can result from an offensive foul in the offense’s own end zone or from certain fumbles that end there. The precise ruling depends on the play and the applicable rules.
Is a safety the same as a touchback?
No. A safety awards points to the opposing team because the offense is responsible for the ball becoming dead in its own end zone. A touchback does not award points; it gives the team taking possession the ball at a set spot.
Can a team try a field goal on any down?
A team can attempt a field goal during a play from scrimmage, but it most often does so on fourth down. Coaches choose based on the distance, field position, score, time remaining, and confidence in the kicker.
Final Thoughts
Keep the location and the direction of the play in mind: a field goal is an offensive kick through the opponent’s uprights for three points; a safety is usually a defensive reward when the offense is responsible for ending a play in its own end zone, worth two. That distinction also explains why a field goal leads to a regular kickoff, while a safety is followed by a safety kick from the team that gave up the points.
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.