A team scores a touchdown, and the referee signals for a try. A few minutes later, the same team faces fourth down near midfield. Both situations involve a decision about what to do next, but they are different parts of the game: an extra point is a scoring attempt after a touchdown, while fourth down is the offense’s final chance to continue a possession before giving up the ball.
The terms can be confusing because an extra-point kick and a fourth-down field-goal attempt may look similar. The key is when they happen and what is at stake.
The basic difference
An extra point is a try awarded after a team scores a touchdown. The scoring team can kick for one additional point or run or pass the ball into the end zone for two points. The try does not decide whether the team keeps a regular offensive drive going; it adds to the score after that drive has already produced a touchdown.
Fourth down is the final down in a standard series of four attempts to advance the ball at least 10 yards. The offense can try to reach the line to gain, punt the ball away, or attempt a field goal if it is close enough. If it fails to earn a first down or score, the other team generally takes possession.
| Feature | Extra point | Fourth down |
|---|---|---|
| When it happens | After a touchdown | As the offense’s fourth down in a possession |
| Main purpose | Add one or two points | Extend the drive, score, or improve field position with a punt |
| Typical choices | Kick for one or run/pass for two | Go for a first down, attempt a field goal, or punt |
| What happens after success | The try is over; the game resumes with a kickoff or other restart | A first down continues the possession; a score adds points |
How the extra point works
After a touchdown, worth six points, the team gets one play called a try. In the NFL, a successful kick is worth one point. The ball is snapped from the 15-yard line for that kick, making the kick 33 yards to the goalposts. A team can instead run or pass from the 2-yard line; if it scores, that try is worth two points. College football uses a different spot for tries, so the distance is not identical across levels.
The choice often comes down to game situation. A reliable kicker may make the one-point attempt the sensible option, especially early in a game. A team trailing late might need two points to catch up or make a later score more useful. Coaches also weigh their offense’s strengths and the defense’s ability to stop a short play.
For example, if a team leads 20–14 after a touchdown, a successful kick makes it 21–14. A two-point conversion would make it 22–14. The attempt happens because of the touchdown—not because the offense has reached a particular down in its drive.
Although fans often call the kick an “extra point,” the rulebook term is a try. It is a distinct scoring play. The defense can block a kick, intercept a pass, or recover a fumble and return the ball to the opposite end zone. Under current NFL rules, that return is worth two points for the defense. The try ends once the play is over, and it does not give the scoring team another ordinary set of downs.
What fourth down means
On a normal possession, the offense gets four downs to advance at least 10 yards. If it gains the required distance within those plays, it earns a first down and starts a new set. If it has not reached the line to gain by fourth down, it must decide how to handle that last opportunity.
- Go for it: Run or pass to reach the line to gain—or, near the goal line, to score. If the offense comes up short, possession changes at the end of the play.
- Punt: Kick the ball downfield to make the opponent start farther from the goal line. This is common when the offense is far from a likely first down and does not want to risk a turnover in poor field position.
- Attempt a field goal: Kick through the uprights for three points. If the attempt misses, the opponent gets possession, subject to the rules and spot that apply to the play.
Teams do not always punt on fourth down. A short distance, a strong offense, a favorable field position, or a late-game need to score can make going for it the better gamble. For instance, on fourth-and-1 near midfield, a coach may trust a powerful running game to gain one yard. On fourth-and-12 deep in the team’s own territory, a punt is usually a safer way to avoid handing the opponent a short field.
Why the two situations are easy to mix up
A kick can appear in both situations. But a fourth-down field goal is a three-point scoring attempt during a regular possession. A one-point try comes only after a touchdown and adds one point. They use different circumstances, and a miss has different consequences for the game’s possession sequence.
There is another useful distinction: fourth down is part of the regular down-and-distance system. An extra-point try follows its own rules and is not simply “fifth down” after the touchdown. Once the touchdown is scored, the team gets the try regardless of whether the touchdown came on first down or fourth down. If a team scores on fourth down, it still gets the chance to kick for one or try for two afterward.
Related Articles
- What Is Fourth Down in American Football? Rules and Strategy
- Extra Point vs. First Down: Key Differences in Football
- Why Is the Extra Point Important in American Football?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an extra point the same as a field goal?
No. Both can involve a kick through the uprights, but a successful extra-point kick is worth one point and comes after a touchdown. A field goal is worth three points and can be attempted during a regular possession, often on fourth down.
Can a team go for two instead of kicking an extra point?
Yes. After a touchdown, the team can try to run or pass the ball into the end zone from the try spot. A successful two-point conversion adds two points instead of one.
Does failing on fourth down always mean a turnover?
If the offense does not reach the line to gain or score, the other team generally takes possession. A punt or field-goal attempt is also made on fourth down, but those are planned ways to surrender or risk possession rather than attempts to earn another first down.
Can a team score on fourth down and still attempt an extra point?
Yes. A touchdown on fourth down is still a touchdown. The team then gets its try for one or two points.
Final Thoughts
Think of the difference this way: fourth down is a decision point during a drive; an extra point is a scoring opportunity after a touchdown. On fourth down, the offense weighs the risk of going for a first down against the value of a punt or field goal. After a touchdown, it chooses between a one-point kick and a two-point play. Knowing when each situation occurs makes the scoreboard—and the coach’s decision—much easier to follow.
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.