SECTION 4 FIELD GOAL

 

ARTICLE 1. SUCCESSFUL FIELD GOAL.

 

A field goal is scored when all of the following conditions are met:

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(a) The kick must be a placekick or dropkick made by the offense from on or behind the line of scrimmage or from the spot of a fair catch (fair-catch kick).

If a fair catch is made or awarded outside the inbound line, the spot of the kick is the nearest inbound line.

 

(b) After the ball is kicked, it must not touch the ground or any player of the offensive team before it passes through the goal.

 

(c) The entire ball must pass through the vertical plane of the goal, which is the area above the crossbar and between the uprights or, if above the uprights, between their outside edges. If the ball passes through the goal, and returns through the goal without striking the ground or some object or person beyond the goal, the attempt is unsuccessful.

 

Note: See 9-1-3 for restriction applicable to Team B formation at the snap.