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Why are touchdowns worth 7 points?

Updated: 9/27/2023
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Cheesebreath

Lvl 1
13y ago

Best Answer

to give the scoring system more dynamics there are points based on difficulty of scoring. For instance a Field Goal is worth only 3 points, because it is easier to kick it in, than attempt to go for the 6 points when on fourth down. Overall, the reason is because there is more than one way to obtain points in football, versus a sport like soccer, when there is only one way to obtain points. That's correct. In the early days, scoring was in chaos because there were no set values. Initially, a goal (field goal in modern parlance) simply counted as being equivalent to four touchdowns, and someone would have to keep track of which team made how many of each type of score. So in 1883, a numerical scoring system was introduced. After a slight readjustment from the originally proposed system, the rulemakers agreed that a safety would count for 2 points, a touchdown for 4, a point after for 2, and a field goal for 5. This system reflected the emphasis on the kicking game in those days. As the rules changed to favor running and passing over kicking, the point system continued to change until touchdowns were worth more than field goals. And that's how we got to the system we have today.

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Wiki User

14y ago
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Wiki User

13y ago

That's the way the scoring system evolved in football. The first scoring system had touchdowns worth 2 points, while the point after was worth 4 and a field goal was worth 5. That was in the days before the forward pass, when kicking was a major part of the game.

As the game evolved toward what we know it as today, the emphasis shifted from kicking to running and passing. By 1912, six years after the forward pass was legalized, the current scoring system was in place.

The current system is a pretty good reflection of where the game stands: A touchdown is worth more than any other kind of score because a team's primary goal as it moves down the field is to score a touchdown. And it's harder to get than a field goal, so the reward for scoring one is larger.

It's really quite brilliant: A touchdown is worth twice as much as a field goal, and then you even get the chance to tack on a bonus point afterwards.

A good example of how scores could be different if the rules or emphasis were different is Rugby. In rugby, forward passes are illegal, and you can dropkick for points anytime you want to. With more emphasis on kicking and no forward pass, rugby gives 3 points for a field goal (like American football), but the try (touchdown) is only worth 5 points, while the point after is worth 2.

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Wiki User

12y ago

NO A touch down is 6 but with pat point after touchdown kick it in is 1 point run it in or passit in the endzone is 2

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Wiki User

13y ago

They aren't. They are worth 6

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Wiki User

13y ago

Never ... its always worth 6 points ...

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Megan Boyle

Lvl 2
3y ago

Tocuh

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Q: Why are touchdowns worth 7 points?
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Touchdowns are worth how many points?

A touchdown is worth six points in American football.


How many points do high school football touchdowns get?

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