A drop kick field goal is a legal but extremely uncommon way to score points in American football. Although it carries the same value as a standard field goal, it is rarely attempted at any level of the game. Because most fans never see one in live play, the drop kick field goal often raises questions about how it works and why it still exists in the rules.
A drop kick field goal occurs when a player drops the ball and kicks it immediately after it makes contact with the ground. The kick must be made as the ball rebounds upward, not after it comes to rest. If the ball passes through the uprights under standard field goal conditions, the play is scored as a successful field goal worth three points.
The key difference between a drop kick and a place kick is ball control. A place kick uses a holder or a tee to keep the ball stationary before it is kicked. A drop kick relies entirely on timing and ball movement after it hits the ground. Because the ball is not stabilized, the kicker has far less control over angle and contact, which makes accuracy much harder to achieve.
A drop kick field goal can be attempted during any situation where a standard field goal is permitted. The kick must occur from behind the line of scrimmage and follow all normal rules governing scrimmage kicks. The defense is allowed to rush the kicker, just as it would on a place kick attempt. There are no special protections or exceptions for drop kicks.
Drop kick field goals are rare because they are significantly more difficult than place kicks. Modern footballs are shaped in a way that makes their bounce unpredictable. Even a slight variation in how the ball hits the ground can throw off timing and accuracy. Because place kicking offers a much higher success rate, coaches almost always choose it over a drop kick.
Earlier versions of football featured drop kicks more prominently, especially before specialized kicking techniques became widespread. As equipment evolved and place kicking became more reliable, the drop kick gradually disappeared from regular use. Today, it survives mainly as a rulebook option rather than a practical scoring method.
In theory, a drop kick field goal could be used as a surprise play, since it resembles a standard offensive formation until the kick occurs. In reality, the risk of a mishandled bounce or blocked kick usually outweighs any strategic benefit. As a result, drop kicks are almost never included in modern game plans.
A successful drop kick field goal is worth three points, the same as a place kick field goal. There is no scoring bonus or penalty associated with how the kick is made. The only distinction lies in execution, not in how the points are awarded.
A common misconception is that drop kick field goals are illegal or restricted to specific situations. In reality, they are fully legal but impractical. Another misunderstanding is that drop kicks are easier because the ball is moving, when in fact the lack of control makes them far more difficult than standard kicks.
A drop kick field goal is a legal scoring option that remains part of the game despite its rarity. While it carries the same value as a traditional field goal, its difficulty and unpredictability have made it largely obsolete. Understanding what a drop kick field goal is helps clarify how football rules accommodate multiple scoring methods, even those that are seldom used.
