A drop kick is a specific method of restarting play or scoring points in various codes of football, most notably rugby union, rugby league, and American football. In American football, a successful drop kick through the uprights counts as a field goal worth three points, though it is exceedingly rare in the modern game. In rugby league, a drop goal (often called a field goal) is worth one point. The point value assigned to a successful drop kick depends entirely on the specific sport being played and the context in which the kick is taken. And in rugby union, a drop goal scored during open play is worth three points. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for players, coaches, and fans attempting to deal with the nuanced scoring systems of these distinct sports.
The Drop Kick in Rugby Union: The Three-Point Weapon
In rugby union, the drop kick is a dynamic offensive tool used primarily to score a drop goal (sometimes referred to as a dropped goal) during general play. When a player drops the ball onto the ground and kicks it as it rises from the bounce, sending it over the crossbar and between the uprights, the scoring team is awarded three points Simple, but easy to overlook..
This scoring method is distinct from a penalty kick (also worth three points) or a conversion (worth two points) because it happens in the flow of open play. Here's the thing — the ball is live, the defense can charge the kicker, and there is no tee involved. The ability to slot a drop goal under immense pressure—often in the dying minutes of a tight Test match—is considered one of the highest skills in the sport Small thing, real impact..
Strategic Importance of the Three-Point Drop Goal
The three-point value makes the drop goal a critical tactical option. Teams trailing by three points or less in the final moments often structure their attack specifically to create a drop goal opportunity. Fly-halves (number 10s) like Jonny Wilkinson, Dan Carter, and Handré Pollard have built legendary careers partly on their ability to execute this specific kick.
Because it is worth three points, a drop goal is valued equally to a penalty goal. Still, it carries a higher degree of difficulty and risk. On top of that, a missed attempt usually results in a 22-meter dropout for the opposition, handing them possession and field position. As a result, coaches drill "drop goal scenarios" extensively, ensuring the kicker has a protected pocket and the chasers are ready to contest the ball if the kick is short.
The Drop Kick for Restarts
Worth pointing out that in rugby union, the drop kick is also the mandatory method for restarting play:
- Kick-offs (start of each half).
- Restarts after a score.
- 22-meter dropouts (when the defending team grounds the ball in their in-goal area or the ball goes dead in in-goal).
In these restart scenarios, no points are awarded for the kick itself. The objective is field position and possession retention No workaround needed..
The Drop Kick in Rugby League: The One-Point Field Goal
Rugby league utilizes the drop kick for a field goal (often called a drop goal in commentary), but the scoring value differs significantly from its union counterpart. A successful field goal in rugby league is worth one point.
The "Golden Point" Factor
The one-point valuation creates a unique strategic dynamic, particularly in tied matches. In many rugby league competitions (such as the NRL and Super League), if scores are level at full-time, the game enters a "Golden Point" extra time period. The first team to score any points wins immediately. Because a field goal is the quickest, lowest-risk way to score a single point, it becomes the primary objective during Golden Point. A player (usually the halfback or five-eighth) will often attempt a drop kick from 30–40 meters out the moment their team gains possession in good field position.
Technical Differences in Execution
While the mechanics are similar—dropping the ball and striking it on the half-volley—the rugby league ball is slightly more pointed than the rugby union ball. This shape makes the bounce slightly less predictable, arguably increasing the difficulty. To build on this, rugby league rules allow the defending team to charge the kicker immediately, and the "marker" defense adds immediate pressure. Despite being worth only one point, the field goal is a high-stakes, high-pressure play that decides a significant percentage of close matches.
The Drop Kick in American Football: The Forgotten Three-Point Play
In American football (NFL, NCAA, High School), the drop kick remains a legal play in the rulebooks, though it has vanished from standard strategy. Consider this: according to the official rules, a drop kick counts as a field goal worth three points if it passes through the uprights. It can also be used for a try (extra point) worth one point following a touchdown.
Historical Context and the Shape of the Ball
The drop kick was a staple of early American football (pre-1930s) when the ball was rounder—resembling a rugby ball—making the bounce reliable. In 1934, the NFL adopted a more prolate spheroid (pointed ends) to make easier the forward pass. This shape change made the drop kick highly unpredictable; the ball bounces erratically on the hard turf, turning the kick into a game of chance rather than skill Still holds up..
The Doug Flutie Exception
For decades, the play was considered obsolete. The last successful drop kick in the NFL prior to the 21st century was by Ray "Scooter" McLean in 1941. That changed on January 1, 2006, when New England Patriots quarterback Doug Flutie successfully executed a drop kick for an extra point against the Miami Dolphins. It was a planned, ceremonial play in Flutie's final NFL game, approved by coach Bill Belichick. It remains the only successful drop kick in the NFL since 1941.
Why It Disappeared
The drop kick was replaced by the place kick (using a holder and a tee/kicking block). The place kick offers total control over the ball's orientation, the planting of the foot, and the trajectory. In a sport decided by inches and specialized units, the variance of a bouncing oval ball was an unacceptable risk for three points. Today, the drop kick exists only as a trivia answer or a desperation maneuver if a snap is botched so badly the holder cannot set the ball for a place kick—though even then, quarterbacks are instructed to throw the ball away or run.
The Drop Kick in Canadian Football: The Rouge and the Field Goal
Canadian football (CFL) retains the drop kick as a more viable option than its American cousin, largely due to different rules regarding ball movement and the "rouge" (single point).
Scoring Values
- Field Goal: A drop kick through the uprights counts as a field goal worth three points.
- Convert: A drop kick through the uprights on a convert attempt counts as two points (compared to one point for a place kick convert). This higher reward incentivizes the skill.
- Rouge (Single): If a drop kick (or punt) goes into the end zone and is not returned out, the kicking team scores one point. This unique rule means a missed drop kick field goal attempt can still yield a point if it crosses the dead-ball line.
Strategic Usage
Because the CFL allows unlimited motion in the backfield and features a larger field (110 yards long, 65 yards wide), the drop kick occasionally appears as a surprise tactic. Kickers like Sean Whyte and Brett Lauther have practiced the skill. The wider hash marks and the premium on field position (no fair catch rule) make the drop kick a legitimate weapon for pinning opponents deep or stealing a quick three points when the offense stalls near midfield Worth knowing..
