A touchdown puts six points on the board, but the scoring play usually isn’t the end of the sequence. The offense gets one more chance to add to its total—and that short play can decide whether a team leads by one, two, or three points. That follow-up is the extra-point attempt, often called the point after touchdown or PAT.
When is an extra point used?
An extra point is attempted immediately after a team scores a touchdown. The touchdown is worth six points; the try that follows can add one or two more. It is a separate play, taken before the teams move on to the kickoff or the next phase of the game.
Most teams choose a placekick for one point. The kicker sends the ball between the uprights and above the crossbar, just as on a field goal. The other option is to run or pass the ball into the end zone for a two-point conversion. Teams can also use a fake kick, though that is a less common way to try for two.
How the extra-point play works
In the NFL, a conventional kick is snapped from the 15-yard line. Since the goalposts sit 10 yards behind the goal line and the holder receives the snap several yards behind the line of scrimmage, the kick travels roughly 33 yards. That longer distance was introduced in 2015 to make the routine PAT less automatic.
A team going for two instead runs a single play from the 2-yard line in the NFL. In college football, the kick is taken from the 15-yard line, while a two-point try is run or passed from the 3-yard line. Rules and spot details can differ in other leagues and levels of play.
The try is one play. If the kick goes wide or is blocked and the offense does not score, the team gets no extra points. A successful run or pass across the goal line earns two. Under NFL and NCAA rules, the defense can also score two points by returning a blocked kick, interception, or fumble on the try to the opposite end zone.
Why teams sometimes kick and sometimes go for two
The kick is the usual choice because it offers a relatively dependable point. A two-point attempt is riskier, but it can be more valuable when the score and time left make a single point less useful. Coaches weigh the score, the clock, their offense’s strengths, and how much confidence they have in their kicker.
- To make a one-score deficit smaller: If a team trails by 14 and scores a touchdown, a successful two-point conversion leaves it down seven. A kick leaves it down eight.
- To tie a close game: A team trailing by two before a touchdown can tie the game with a kick. A team trailing by one might try for two to take the lead instead of settling for a tie.
- To build a more useful lead: Late in a game, a coach may choose two if that result creates a more difficult score for the opponent to match. The right decision depends on the exact score and remaining time.
- To exploit a matchup: A team with a powerful short-yardage offense—or one facing a vulnerable defense—may prefer a two-point play. A team that trusts its kicker may take the safer route.
For example, suppose a team is down by eight and scores a touchdown with little time left. Kicking leaves it two points behind, so another score would still be needed. Converting for two would tie the game. That makes the risk easier to justify: a made conversion erases the deficit, while a failed one leaves the team needing a defensive stop and another scoring chance.
There is no single decision that fits every situation. A coach might also choose a two-point attempt earlier than expected to learn what the team needs later. The key is the scoreboard, not simply whether the offense has just scored.
Extra point or field goal?
The two plays may look similar when a kicker is involved, but they happen at different times and have different values. An extra-point kick follows a touchdown and is worth one point. A field goal is a scoring option during a possession when the team has not scored a touchdown; a successful field goal is worth three points.
That distinction matters when you’re watching a drive. If the offense reaches the end zone, it gets a try for extra points. If it cannot score a touchdown but is in range, it may instead attempt a field goal during the regular flow of play.
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- When Is the End Zone Used in American Football?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an extra point automatic after a touchdown?
No. The team must run the try, and it can miss a kick or fail to score on a two-point attempt. A touchdown is worth six points whether or not the try succeeds.
Can a team choose not to kick?
Yes. It can go for two by running or passing the ball into the end zone instead of attempting a one-point kick. The choice is made for that try, based on the score and game situation.
Can the defense score on an extra-point attempt?
Yes. In the NFL and college football, the defense can return a turnover or blocked kick to the other end zone for two points. It is uncommon, but the try is live while the play continues.
Is a PAT the same as a field goal?
No. A PAT kick comes after a touchdown and is worth one point. A field goal is attempted during a drive without a touchdown and is worth three points.
Final Thoughts
An extra point is the scoring try that follows a touchdown. Teams can take one point with a kick or risk a run or pass for two, and the scoreboard often determines which choice makes sense. Keep an eye on the try after the touchdown: in a close game, that brief play can shape the whole finish.
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.