How to Score in NFL Drop Kick

In 2005, back-up Quarter Back for the New England Patriots, Doug Flutie, successfully converted the first drop kick in NFL history since 1941.

To this day, a drop kick remains a recognized way of scoring a single point, the same as a regular field goal, and was utilized by Flutie in a fourth-quarter point after touchdown situation.

However, when the football took on the familiar prolate spheroid shape that is still used today, the scoring technique became significantly more difficult. The ball had become more pointed, and, as such, the bounce had become far more unpredictable.

Things You'll Need

  • Regulation NFL football
  • Football kicking cleats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set up in a field goal formation. Just like you are attempting a field goal on the point after touchdown (PAT), set up with the long snapper ready to snap the ball back to the holder.

      The kicker should stand in the normal position as if he is about to attempt a field goal.

    • 2

      Start the play with the long snap.

      Instead of the holder receiving and spotting the ball, as with a field goal attempt, the long snapper bypasses the holder snapping the ball directly to the kicker.

      At this stage the play is like a fake field goal and the kicker has the option to either run for the end zone for a two-point score, throw the ball to a teammate for a pass so they can run for the end zone, again for two points, or attempt the rare drop kick worth one point.

    • 3

      Drop and kick the ball with your cleat, ensuring that the kick falls within the NFL rules, which determine that a successfully completed drop kick must be:

      "a kick by a kicker who drops the ball and kicks it as, or immediately after, it touches the ground."

      The difficult part of this technique is two-fold.

      Firstly, there is a great skill to dropping the ball at the correct angle in order to make the bounce consistent and predictable. This involves dropping the ball with the point towards your face so that the ball lands not quite upright, but at about a 60 to 80 degree angle. Avoid kicking the lace of the football.

      This will require a lot of practice.

      Secondly, the greatest chance of successfully completing the drop kick comes through meeting the ball with your cleat just as it touches the turf. The object is to kick the ball through the uprights, just like a field goal.

      Once again, this will require a lot of hard work in practice.