A drop kick field goal is one of the rarest scoring plays in modern American football. While it is fully legal under the rulebook, it is almost never attempted, which often leads to confusion about how the rule works and when it can be used. Understanding the drop kick rule requires looking at how the kick is defined, when it is allowed, and why it has largely disappeared from today’s game.
A drop kick occurs when the ball is dropped by the kicker and struck with the foot immediately after it touches the ground. The ball must be kicked as it rebounds off the surface, not after it has settled. This distinguishes a drop kick from a place kick, where the ball is held or placed on a tee. In a drop kick, the timing of the kick is critical, as the ball must be in motion off the ground at the moment it is struck.
Yes, a drop kick field goal is legal under American football rules. It is treated the same as a place kick for scoring purposes, meaning a successful drop kick field goal is worth three points. The kick must occur from behind the line of scrimmage, and all standard kicking formation rules apply. There is no restriction limiting drop kicks to specific downs or game situations.
A drop kick may be attempted on any down as long as it follows the rules for a scrimmage kick. This includes field goal attempts and kickoffs in certain rule sets. Because the kick happens during a live play, defenses can rush the kicker just as they would on a normal field goal attempt. This adds to the difficulty and risk associated with using a drop kick in competitive situations.
The main reason drop kicks are rarely used is difficulty. Modern footballs are more pointed than earlier versions, making them harder to control on the bounce. Place kicking offers greater accuracy and consistency, especially at longer distances. As a result, coaches overwhelmingly prefer place kicks, which provide a higher success rate and lower risk of a mishandled attempt.
Drop kicks were far more common in the early years of football, when the ball shape and rules favored this style of kicking. As equipment evolved and place kicking techniques improved, the drop kick gradually faded from regular use. Today, most fans encounter the drop kick as a historical footnote rather than a realistic scoring option.
In theory, a drop kick could be used as an element of surprise, particularly if the defense is not expecting a kick. Because the ball is live and the play resembles a standard offensive snap, it may briefly catch defenders off guard. In practice, the risk of a poor bounce or blocked kick usually outweighs any potential advantage.
The primary difference between a drop kick and a place kick lies in control. A place kick allows the kicker to strike a stationary ball positioned for optimal contact. A drop kick relies on precise timing and ball behavior after it hits the ground. This difference explains why place kicks dominate modern field goal attempts, even though both are legal scoring methods.
The drop kick field goal remains a legal but rarely used option in American football. While it carries the same scoring value as a place kick, its difficulty and unpredictability have pushed it to the margins of the game. Understanding the rule helps clarify how flexible the scoring system can be, even when certain options are almost never used in practice.
