A drop kick field goal is one of the rarest plays in football, a throwback to the early days of the sport when kicking techniques were far different from today. While virtually unheard of in modern football, the drop kick remains a legal but seldom-used method for scoring points.

Understanding how a drop kick field goal works, when it can be used, and why it has become almost extinct can help football fans appreciate this unique part of the game’s history.

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What Is a Drop Kick?

A drop kick is a type of kick where a player drops the ball to the ground and kicks it as it bounces back up. Unlike a conventional placekick, where the ball is held stationary by a teammate or a tee, a drop kick requires precise timing to connect with the ball at the right moment.

This technique was once common in football, particularly in the early 20th century, when the ball was rounder and easier to control off the bounce. However, as the shape of the football evolved into its current, more elongated form, drop kicks became far more difficult to execute reliably, leading to their near disappearance.

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Is a Drop Kick Field Goal Legal?

Yes, a drop kick is still a legal way to score a field goal or extra point under NFL and NCAA rules. However, due to changes in game strategy and ball design, it is almost never used.

According to NFL Rule 3, Section 8, Article 1, a drop kick can be used in place of a standard placekick for:

• Field goals (worth three points)
• Extra points (worth one point after a touchdown)
• Kickoffs and free kicks after a safety

For a drop kick to count, the ball must touch the ground before being kicked and must travel between the goalposts to be considered a successful field goal.

In NCAA football, the rule is similar, though drop kicks are almost never attempted due to the same challenges that exist in the professional game.

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Why Aren’t Drop Kicks Used Anymore?

The drop kick was a staple of football in the early 1900s but has become obsolete due to a variety of factors:

1. Changes in Ball Shape – Early footballs were rounder, making it easier to predict the bounce of a drop kick. The modern, more oval-shaped football is far more unpredictable when bouncing, making consistent drop kicking difficult.
2. Advancements in Placekicking – The introduction of placekicks with holders and kicking tees made field goals and extra points far more reliable than drop kicks. Today’s soccer-style placekickers have perfected their technique, making drop kicks an unnecessary risk.
3. Faster and More Skilled Defenses – With modern defenses applying quick pressure on special teams plays, attempting a drop kick instead of a more stable placekick would be an unnecessary gamble in most game situations.

While the drop kick remains legal, coaches and kickers universally agree that it is impractical compared to modern placekicking methods.

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Famous Drop Kicks in Football History

Despite its near extinction, a few notable moments in football history have featured drop kicks.

• Doug Flutie’s Drop Kick (2006) – The last successful drop kick field goal in the NFL was executed by Doug Flutie while playing for the New England Patriots on January 1, 2006. Flutie successfully converted a drop-kicked extra point, marking the first such play in the NFL since 1941.
• Early 20th Century Football – Before the modern kicking game developed, players like Paddy Driscoll and Dutch Clark were known for their ability to execute drop kicks consistently, using them as a primary method for scoring.

While drop kicks are now more of a novelty than a viable game strategy, moments like Flutie’s 2006 drop kick serve as reminders of the sport’s rich history.

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Can a Drop Kick Be Used in High School Football?

Yes, drop kicks are legal in high school football, though they are just as rare as they are in the NFL and NCAA. Given that most high school programs focus on teaching modern placekicking techniques, drop kicks are not part of the standard playbook.

If a team were to attempt one in a high school game, it would follow the same rules as at higher levels: the ball must touch the ground before being kicked, and it must travel between the uprights to be considered successful.

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Conclusion

A drop kick field goal is a legal but highly uncommon method of scoring in football. Once a regular part of the game, it has been replaced by more reliable placekicking techniques due to changes in football design, kicking mechanics, and overall game strategy.

Though the drop kick is unlikely to make a major comeback, it remains a fascinating piece of football history, occasionally making surprise appearances to remind fans of the game’s early days.