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Imagine a kicker dropping the ball, letting it hit the ground, and then striking it just as it pops back up. The ball sails between the uprights, and the crowd goes wild. That is a drop kick field goal. It looks like something from an old movie, but it is still legal today. While it almost vanished from modern American football, the drop kick has a proud history, a unique technique, and a handful of modern-day uses that surprise fans every time they happen.
This beginner-friendly guide explains exactly what a drop kick field goal is, how it works, when it is legal, and why you rarely see it. You will also learn the basics of the technique, famous moments from history, and whether this old-school skill might ever return to the regular playbook.
What Is a Drop Kick Field Goal?
A simple definition
A drop kick is a way to kick the football where the kicker drops the ball from their hands and kicks it the instant it touches the ground or as it rebounds off the turf. A drop kick field goal is simply a field goal scored by using a drop kick instead of the normal placekick. If the ball goes over the crossbar and between the uprights, it is worth three points, just like any other field goal.
How a drop kick works, step by step
To perform a drop kick, the kicker stands a few steps behind the line of scrimmage, holds the ball with the laces facing up or slightly outward, and lets it fall from their hands in a straight drop. The goal is for the ball to land on or near its front point so it bounces up in a predictable way. As it rises, the kicker swings through and strikes it with the instep of the kicking foot, sending it high and straight. The timing is critical. Kick too early, and you miss the sweet spot. Kick too late, and the ball dies on the ground.
How it scores points
A drop-kicked ball can score in the same ways as a placekicked ball. If you drop kick through the uprights during a normal play from scrimmage, that is a three-point field goal. After a touchdown, a team may attempt the extra point with a drop kick instead of a placekick; in that case it is still only worth one point if successful.
The Rules Today: NFL, College, and High School
NFL rules in plain language
In the NFL, a drop kick is legal for a field goal or a try after touchdown. The rule says the ball must be dropped and kicked as it touches the ground or immediately after the rebound. There is no tee or holder. If the ball passes above the crossbar and between the uprights, the kick counts. This is true whether the ball was placed on the ground by a holder or drop-kicked by the kicker.
In addition, NFL free kicks can be placekicks or drop kicks. This means a team could technically use a drop kick on a kickoff or a safety kick. Teams almost never do this because a tee makes placekicks easier and more consistent, but it remains legal.
NCAA college rules
College football allows drop kicks too. The ball may be drop-kicked for a field goal or for a try. A successful try after touchdown by drop kick is worth one point, just like a placekick. For a field goal, a drop kick is worth three points. The same basic timing and contact rules apply: the kick must happen as the ball contacts or rebounds from the ground.
High school rules
High school (NFHS) rules also allow drop kicks for both field goals and trys. A key high school difference that sometimes confuses fans is the fair-catch kick, which is also allowed in college and the NFL. After a fair catch, a team can try a free kick for a field goal from the spot of the catch. That free kick could be a placekick or a drop kick. Still, teams almost never choose a drop kick, because a placekick with a holder provides better control.
How this compares to rugby
Rugby uses drop kicks often, especially for restarts and for the drop goal, which is worth three points in rugby union and one point in rugby league. The rugby ball is slightly different in shape and pressure, and the sport’s flow makes drop goals a natural part of strategy. In American football, the ball is narrower and the play structure favors placekicking, so drop kicks are much rarer.
Why Did Drop Kicks Disappear?
The football changed shape
Early footballs were rounder and fatter, more like a rugby ball. That rounder shape gave a truer, more vertical bounce, perfect for drop kicks. As the sport evolved, the ball became longer and narrower to help the forward pass. The modern ball is great for spirals but unpredictable for bouncing. That change alone made drop kicking far more difficult.
Specialists and better kicking tools
Placekicking improved. The holder, the long snapper, and the kicker became a well-practiced unit. Kicking tees for kickoffs and better balls for kicking created a perfect setup for placekicks. Teams hired specialists who could hit long, accurate placekicks. With such reliable tools and players, there was little reason to keep practicing drop kicks.
Rule and strategy shifts
As the passing game grew, coaches built playbooks around field position, clock management, and high-percentage kicks. A drop kick has more moving parts and more timing risk than a placekick. In a sport where one mistake can swing a game, coaches chose the safer option. Over many decades, the drop kick went from common to a novelty.
A Short History of the Drop Kick
The early era: 1890s to 1920s
In the first decades of American football, the drop kick was normal. Punts, placekicks, and drop kicks were all used, and players often handled multiple roles. With a rounder ball and simpler strategies, the drop kick was a natural way to score. Many teams did not even have a dedicated holder, so a drop kick offered a fast, flexible option.
The 1930s and a last great field goal
By the 1930s, the game had already started to change, but skilled drop kickers still existed. Earl “Dutch” Clark, a Hall of Famer for the Detroit Lions, is widely credited with the last successful drop-kicked field goal in NFL history, in 1937. It was a skilled, pressure play from a star of his time, and it stands as a marker of the end of an era.
1941 and the long drought
The next milestone many fans know is 1941. That year, Ray McLean of the Chicago Bears made a drop-kicked extra point. After that moment, the drop kick basically vanished from the NFL for more than sixty years. Placekicking took over, and the narrow modern ball made the drop kick a rare practice room curiosity, not a live-game weapon.
Doug Flutie’s 2006 moment
On January 1, 2006, Doug Flutie of the New England Patriots lined up for a try after touchdown against the Miami Dolphins. Instead of calling for a holder, he drop-kicked the ball for one point. It was the first successful drop kick in an NFL game since 1941, and it created a wave of excitement. Fans asked if the drop kick might return. Coaches and kickers talked about it in press conferences. Even with the hype, it stayed a trick, not a trend. Flutie’s kick remains a beloved highlight and a reminder that old skills never truly disappear.
Modern experiments and rarities
Since Flutie’s kick, you sometimes see kickers and punters practicing drop kicks in warm-ups. A few have tried them in preseason or in lower levels of play. But in real, high-pressure game situations, placekicks are still the gold standard. The drop kick is legal, and it still shows up once in a while, but it is not part of regular NFL or college strategy.
Technique Deep Dive: How to Drop Kick
Stance and grip
Start a few strides behind the line, angled slightly to your kicking foot side. Hold the ball with both hands at chest level. Keep the laces up or slightly facing away from your kicking foot. The point that will hit the turf should be aimed straight down. Your eyes should focus on a spot on the ground where the ball’s point will land.
The drop and the bounce
Let the ball fall from your hands without flipping or spinning it. The goal is a clean, vertical drop. The point hits the ground first, and the ball pops up. This bounce happens fast. Your kicking motion must already be in progress as the ball lands so your foot meets it on the rise. Many beginners drop the ball from too high. Try a shorter drop for better control.
Contact and follow-through
Lock your ankle. Use the instep or top of your foot, not your toes. Strike the ball as it rises, slightly above its bottom point, and drive through the center line toward your target. Keep your head down through impact. Finish with a full follow-through, chest over the ball and hips driving forward. If you pop up too early, the kick will be low or off line.
Common mistakes
New kickers often flip the ball during the drop, causing a strange bounce. Others wait too long, meeting the ball as it falls instead of as it rises. Some kick with the toe, which hurts and sends a knuckleball. The fix is simple but not easy: repeat slow, controlled drops without kicking. Train the ball to fall straight. Then add a gentle swing and build timing step by step.
Why it is so hard
Placekicks start from a quiet ball. A drop kick starts from a live bounce. The narrow modern football makes that bounce unpredictable. Wind and turf add more randomness. That is why even great placekickers do not often try drop kicks in games. The margin for error is tiny.
Strategy: When Would You Use a Drop Kick?
Broken plays and bad snaps
One theoretical use is as insurance. If the snap is mishandled on a field goal attempt and the holder cannot get the ball down, a quick-thinking kicker could grab it and attempt a drop kick. It is still legal and could save the play. This is rare and hard to execute, but it is one reason some special teams coaches at least talk about it.
Wind, mud, and no holder
In terrible weather, getting the ball on the ground for a placekick can be risky. The hold can slip, the laces turn, or mud covers the sweet spot. In theory, a drop kick removes the need for a perfect hold. The trade-off is that the bounce becomes its own source of chaos. Most coaches still prefer a hold because it is more predictable than a live bounce, even in rain or snow.
Surprise factor
Because defenders rarely see drop kicks, they may not react as quickly to the approach. In special situations, a team might line up in a shotgun or unusual formation and attempt a drop-kicked field goal to catch the defense sleeping. This is more of a novelty than a plan, but once in a while, surprises work.
Kickoffs and free kicks
Rules allow a drop kick on some free kicks. A team could try a short, high-bouncing drop kick to create a weird ball flight that is hard to catch. But kickoffs with a tee are more controlled, and well-designed onside kicks are already part of the playbook. The drop kick remains a rare curveball, not a standard tool.
Risk versus reward
The main reason you do not see drop kicks is cold math. A placekick has a known success rate at a given distance. A drop kick almost always has a lower expected percentage, unless the kicker is unusually skilled at it. In tight games, coaches take the higher-percentage option. In blowouts or end-of-season moments, you might see a drop kick for fun, for history, or to keep a future opponent guessing.
Famous Drop Kicks and Trivia
Early masters
Before placekicking took over, stars like Paddy Driscoll and Earl “Dutch” Clark were known for their drop kicks. They treated it as a core skill. Their success rates are hard to compare to modern kickers because of changes in the ball, the fields, and the rules, but their reputations come from real results in pressure moments.
The 1937 field goal and the 1941 extra point
The last successful drop-kicked field goal in the NFL is widely credited to Earl “Dutch” Clark in 1937. The last successful drop-kicked extra point of the old era came in 1941 by Ray McLean of the Chicago Bears. These landmarks mark the end of routine drop kicking in the league.
Doug Flutie in 2006
Doug Flutie’s successful drop-kicked extra point for the New England Patriots on January 1, 2006, is the most famous modern example. It did not start a wave of copycats, but it sparked curiosity and proved the skill still lived in the game.
Practice field legends
From time to time, videos surface of punters and kickers drop-kicking from long range in warm-ups. These are fun to watch and show that skilled professionals can still make the ball fly. Turning those practice kicks into consistent game-day results is another matter, and that is why you do not see it often when the score counts.
Common Questions, Answered Simply
Is a drop kick legal in the NFL?
Yes. A drop kick is legal for a field goal or a try after touchdown. It is rare, but it counts the same as a placekick if it goes through the uprights. A team can also use a drop kick on certain free kicks, though almost no one does.
Is a drop kick the same as a punt?
No. A punt is kicked before the ball hits the ground. A drop kick is kicked as the ball touches the ground or as it rebounds from the ground. In a punt, the ball is live and cannot score a field goal if it goes through the uprights. In a drop kick from scrimmage, you can score three points if it goes through.
Can you drop kick an extra point?
Yes. A try kick may be a placekick or a drop kick. If it is successful, it is worth one point. This is what Doug Flutie did in 2006. A two-point conversion must be a run or pass play from scrimmage; you cannot get two points with a kick.
Can you drop kick a kickoff?
Under NFL rules, a free kick may be a placekick or a drop kick, so yes, it is allowed. However, teams almost always placekick from a tee because it is simpler and more consistent. The same general allowance exists in college and high school.
Why do rugby players drop kick so easily?
Rugby players practice drop kicks constantly, and the sport’s flow makes them useful. The ball and rules encourage the skill. American football rewards precise placekicking and passing, and the narrow ball makes the bounce tougher. The culture, the equipment, and the strategy all tilt away from drop kicks in American football.
How to Try One Safely at Practice
Start with slow drops
Begin without kicking. Hold the ball out in front and drop it so the front point touches the ground and pops up. Work until the ball bounces straight back to your hands. If it wobbles or falls over, adjust your grip and your release. The cleaner the drop, the easier the kick.
Add a gentle swing
Once the bounce is repeatable, add a small kick. Try to meet the ball while it is rising, with a firm ankle and a smooth follow-through. Do not chase power. The goal is to make clean contact and send a straight, end-over-end ball. Power comes later.
Build your timing with landmarks
Pick a spot on the ground and drop the ball to that spot every time. Start your swing as the ball leaves your hands so your foot arrives just as the ball rises off the turf. Think of it like clapping hands at the right beat. If the rhythm is off, slow down and reset.
Kick for height first, then distance
Early on, aim for a high arc rather than a low line drive. A high kick gives you more margin for error on distance and direction. After you can consistently get height, start backing up and building distance in small steps.
Use safe setups
Practice on a flat surface with good shoes. Avoid crowded drills where a ball could take a weird bounce into someone’s legs. A coach, a teammate, or a net behind the uprights helps keep things organized and safe.
Physics in Simple Terms
Why the bounce matters
The drop kick works because the ball stores energy when it hits the ground and then releases that energy as it rebounds. If you meet the ball during that rebound, your foot adds more energy and direction. The cleaner the bounce, the easier it is to add that energy in a straight line.
Why the modern ball fights you
The long, narrow football wants to fall to one side or skid. If the point does not hit square, the ball can twist. A small twist in the bounce becomes a big miss at the uprights. That is why the drop must be so clean and why this kick is hard under pressure.
Myths and Misunderstandings
“Drop kicks are illegal now.”
They are legal. They are just rare. You can still score with a drop kick in the NFL, college, and high school.
“A drop kick is worth extra points.”
No. A field goal is three points no matter how you kick it. An extra point kick is one point no matter how you kick it. The method does not change the value.
“Only old-timers can do it.”
Modern athletes can learn drop kicking. Many punters and kickers have the foot talent. The issue is not ability, but whether it is worth the practice time compared to other skills that help teams win more often.
The Future of the Drop Kick
Could it make a comeback?
It could, but it is unlikely to become common. For it to return in a real way, a team would need a kicker who is both highly skilled at drop kicks and clearly more accurate with them than with placekicks in special conditions. That is a high bar. Still, as a once-a-season surprise, the drop kick has a place. It excites fans, confuses defenses for a moment, and keeps a fun tradition alive.
What would push it forward
Several things could help. If rule changes limited the use of tees, drop kicks might look more attractive. If weather or indoor airflow ever made holds less reliable, coaches might experiment. If a young kicker built a reputation for long, accurate drop kicks, copycats would surely follow. Football evolves, and the door is never fully closed.
Conclusion
The drop kick field goal is a living piece of football history. It is simple to describe and hard to do. It rewards touch, timing, and nerve. Early legends used it all the time. Then the ball, the rules, and the strategy changed, and the drop kick faded into the background. Still, the skill never died. It remains legal, and every few years it steps back into the spotlight to remind us how deep the game’s toolbox really is.
If you are new to football, remember this: a drop kick scores just like a placekick, but it is tougher to execute. If you play or coach, try a few in practice. You will gain better ball control, cleaner footwork, and a new respect for the old masters. And if you are a fan, keep an eye out. One day, when the wind is strange and the crowd is loud, you might see a kicker drop the ball, find the bounce, and write a new chapter in a very old story.