How to Keep the Score in Football

Football is one of the most popular team sports in North America. People watch professionals play on television, and go to their backyards or parks to play the game on their own. As with other organized sports, a point system is used in football to determine which team wins the game. Teams can score points in a variety of ways during a football game.

Things You'll Need

  • Pen
  • Paper
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Instructions

    • 1

      Give three points for a field goal. Teams score a field goal by kicking the ball through the uprights at the back of the end zone.

    • 2

      Give two points for a safety. A safety occurs when the team playing defense tackles the ball carrier for a loss of yardage in the opponent's end zone.

    • 3

      Give six points for a touchdown. A touchdown occurs when an offensive team carries or passes the ball into the end zone. It also can occur when the defensive team creates a turnover by interception or fumble and returns it to the opponent's end zone. Touchdowns also may occur on kick returns.

    • 4

      Give one point for an extra point. Teams get this point when they kick the ball through the uprights after they have scored a touchdown.

    • 5

      Give the team two points for a 2-point conversion. This rare play occurs after a team scores a touchdown. From close to the goal line, the offense lines up as normal and attempts a run or pass to reach the end zone. Generally, teams decide to attempt a kick for one point.

    • 6

      Add the scores for each team at the end of the game. The team with the highest score wins.