A touchdown does not automatically add seven points to the scoreboard. After scoring, a team gets one more play: it can kick for one point or try to reach the end zone again for two. That choice—the extra point versus the two-point conversion—can look routine or become the biggest decision of the game.
The basic difference
An extra point, also called a point-after-touchdown or PAT, is a place kick through the uprights. If it’s good, the offense gets one point.
A two-point conversion is a scrimmage play. The offense snaps the ball and tries to score another touchdown by running or passing it into the end zone. A successful try adds two points.
| Try | How it works | Points if successful |
|---|---|---|
| Extra point (PAT) | A place kick through the uprights | 1 |
| Two-point conversion | A run or pass into the end zone from a scrimmage play | 2 |
Where the play starts
The try begins after a touchdown, with the ball placed at a set distance from the goal line. In the NFL, the ball is snapped from the 15-yard line for a PAT or two-point attempt. Because the goalposts sit behind the end zone, an NFL kick from there is about 33 yards. A two-point attempt is much closer: the offense has to get the ball across the goal line from the 2-yard line.
College football uses a different placement: both the kick and the two-point play begin from the 3-yard line. Rules can differ across leagues and levels, so the NFL distances are not universal.
What happens during each attempt?
The extra-point kick
For a PAT, the center snaps the ball to a holder, who places it for the kicker. The kick must travel between the uprights and over the crossbar. A successful kick is worth one point; a miss is worth none.
It may seem like a formality, but it is still a live play. A bad snap or a blocked kick can force the holder or another player to improvise. In some circumstances, the defense can return a blocked or intercepted try to the opposite end zone and score two points. So even a kick can produce a rare, dramatic swing.
The two-point play
On a two-point try, the offense uses its normal personnel and can run, pass, or use a combination of both. A quarterback might throw a quick pass to a receiver cutting across the goal line, hand the ball to a running back, or keep it himself. The defense knows the offense must reach the end zone, and the short distance leaves little room for a mistake.
If the offense scores, it gets two points. If it fails to score, it gets zero. The defense can also score two points by gaining possession and returning the ball to the other end zone under the applicable rules. Either way, the try ends once the play is dead or a score is recorded.
Why choose one over the other?
The choice is a calculation, not just a matter of confidence. A PAT is usually the lower-risk option, while a two-point attempt offers a larger reward but is harder to convert. Coaches weigh the score, the time remaining, their offense’s strengths, the defense’s setup, and the likely consequences of success or failure.
Consider a team that is trailing by eight points. A touchdown cuts the deficit to two. A successful two-point conversion ties the game; a successful PAT leaves the team down by one. If time is running out, going for two may be the only way to draw level immediately. If there is plenty of time, kicking can keep the team within one score and leave more options for the rest of the game.
Now consider a team that is ahead by one point after a touchdown. A PAT would make the lead two; a successful two-point play would make it three. That extra point can change the value of a later field goal, but the coach has to decide whether the chance of gaining the additional point justifies passing up the safer kick.
Score charts can help coaches estimate the odds, but they do not make every decision automatic. A team with a strong short-yardage offense may be more willing to go for two. A team whose kicker has been reliable may prefer the PAT. The situation on the field matters, too: an injury, a penalty, or a matchup the offense likes can affect the call.
What fans should watch for
- The score after the touchdown: Remember that the touchdown is six points before the try. The PAT or conversion is added afterward.
- The clock and the deficit: A team trailing by two may need a successful two-point play to tie. With more time, it may have a reason to take the PAT instead.
- The formation: A kicker and holder indicate a PAT attempt. Offensive players staying on the field signal a run-or-pass try, though teams can occasionally use deception.
- The league: Starting distances and some try rules differ between the NFL, college football, and other levels.
Related Articles
- When Is a Two-Point Conversion Used in American Football?
- Two-Point Conversion in American Football: How It Works
- Why Is the Extra Point Important in American Football?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an extra point guaranteed after a touchdown?
No. The offense gets an opportunity to attempt a PAT, but the kick can be missed or blocked. A team can also choose to attempt a two-point conversion instead.
Can a two-point conversion be kicked?
No. A two-point conversion is a scrimmage play in which the offense must score in the end zone. A kick through the uprights after a touchdown is worth one point.
Can the defense score during a conversion attempt?
Yes. Under modern rules, the defense can sometimes return a turnover or blocked kick to the opposite end zone for two points. It is uncommon, but the play is live.
Why might a team go for two when a kick is available?
The team may need two points to tie, or it may judge that the extra point could produce a more useful score later. The decision depends on the score, time remaining, and the team’s assessment of its chances.
Final Thoughts
The distinction is simple: an extra-point kick is worth one, while a successful run-or-pass conversion is worth two. The strategy is less simple. Each choice changes the score by a different amount and carries a different level of risk, which is why a short play after a touchdown can matter as much as a long drive.
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.