UNCONTESTED FIELD GOALS "DID NOT KNOW THIS"

[mantaraydre]

coaches,

I just recently saw on espn you can try an uncontested field goal the next play after a punt/fair catch. This is rarely/never tried. This is why not many know this. It's a free kick from the spot of the fair catch. I could be alittle wrong but this is what saw on espn sat morn. naturally teams don't try it because the field goal would be way too long.

can this be done in miniature football

MANTARAYDRE

[5-13 Studios]

i believe that there was a game last week where a guy tried a 75 yard field goal because of this rule. he, of course, didn't make it.

it would probably depend on how leagues did their punt rules.

[Coach_J]

I am aware of the uncontested FG that you are referring to but don't recall which game this took place. Of course this can be done in miniature football. As 5-13studios said it depends on how punts are handled in your league. Some leagues don't have punt returns but just mark off 40 or 45 yards for a punt. Hope this helps.

Coach J

[jimmie]

When I was a kid we used to kick field goals anywhere on the field.because of the strength of the TTQB u could kick an 80 yard field goal but as we got older we wanted our game to more realisted so you had to be at the 40 at least to try a field goal.But yes we could use that rule because our kicker can kick that far.

[Ned Flanders]

This used to happen more frequently in the NFL back when the goal posts were on the goal line (pre-1974). It was still pretty rare. Just before halftime, a team is punting from deep in its own territory. If the kick is short, the returner signals for a fair catch. Even if the clock is at 0:00, you can try the free kick from the spot of the catch. One guy holds the ball (like a field goal), one guy kicks it. Other team has to back off 10 yards. Example: Own 10 yard line, 5 seconds before half, fourth down. Punt goes 35 yards, fair catch. Clock is down to 0:01. Ball's on the 45 yard line. Receiving team can try 45-yard field goal (now it would be 55 yards).

It only makes sense with little or no time left on the clock -- otherwise, why not just use the good field position to drive for a TD?

[volcanohead]

That is a very different rule indeed! Now that is a play I'd like to see in a close NFL game!

Originally Posted by Ned Flanders

Punt goes 35 yards, fair catch. Clock is down to 0:01.

You can only do the free kick if all of the time expires.