A field goal is worth 3 points in American football. The scoring play succeeds when the ball is kicked between the opponent’s uprights and above the crossbar, provided it does not leave the field of play or fail in another way defined by the rules.
Teams usually attempt a field goal on fourth down when they are close enough for the kicker to have a realistic chance. A successful kick rewards the offense with three points, while a missed attempt normally gives the opposing team possession at the spot where the kick was made, subject to the applicable rules.
Field goals are different from touchdowns, which are worth six points before any extra-point attempt or two-point conversion. After a touchdown, a team may kick a one-point extra point or run a two-point conversion. A safety, by contrast, awards two points to the defense.
The record and strategy surrounding field goals have evolved with specialist kickers, improved training and long-range attempts. In the NFL, field goals from 50 or more yards are no longer unusual, but the basic value has remained three points.