An American Football Question.

[Richt]

Hi all, I just wanted to ask some of you friendly americans a question.

I'm not 100 % of the rules and strategies of US football. I used to be quite keen on the sport especially back in the early nineties, and I found the best way to learn the sport back then was to buy a computer game for my Megadrive. It worked and I learnt a lot of the plays, the "downs", the "2 minute warning" "extra point" etc etc.

But last night whilst watching the game the commentator near the end of the game said that Seattle will probably go for a touchdown and then a 2 point conversion. My question to you is what is a two point conversion, or was I hearing things?

One other thing about last nights game from an amateur. It really looked like some of the referee's decisions where shocking. I am referring to Pitsburghs first touch down and also the Seattle touchdown where the guy was adjudged to have "pushed" the other guy away, in the endzone.

(Don't shout at me, I am just a little ignorant)

Thanks

Rich

[Richt]

Re: An American Football Question.

And another thing, was it my imagination or was there fewer interuptions in the game than there used to be?

I always remember getting quite frustrated in the past as it seemed a lot of starting and stopping, but last night it was more bearable.

Rich

[fluffyman]

Re: An American Football Question.

Following a touchdown, worth 6 points, the offense can elect to do one of two things:

1. The kicker can kick the ball through the goal posts for 1 point
OR
2. The offense can run a play from the 3 yard line. If they cross the goal line via running or passing, they get 2 extra points, hence the name 2 point conversion. That extra point can make it harder for the other team to win.

[Richt]

Re: An American Football Question.

Thanks Rick. I understood the 1 point kick, but the 2 point one was new on me.

Thanks for you help.

Rich

[Richt]

Re: An American Football Question.

That extra point can make it harder for the other team to win.

I can obviously see that working both ways. Obviously if they dont get it, they miss out on the 1 point.

Btw, has it ever been known for a team to miss the "one" extra point kick?

[Heidi3]

Re: An American Football Question.

I am done with football for the year my new sport is curling....I am exploring my Canadian roots

[fluffyman]

Re: An American Football Question.

Oh they definitely miss them for a variety of reasons: a bad snap, a bad hold, a lucky defensive player jumping high enough to deflect a kick, the kicker's plant foot slipping, or the kicker just kicking it badly. Nothing is a sure thing, but most kickers are 90-95% for the extra point.

[Swimmom]

Re: An American Football Question.

Thanks Rick. I understood the 1 point kick, but the 2 point one was new on me.

Thanks for you help.

Rich

You say you started trying to follow the game in the 90's. If memory serves, they had actually done away with the 2-point conversion in the NFL at that time and only brought it back in the last few years. Or maybe I dreamt that!

[Richt]

Re: An American Football Question.

You say you started trying to follow the game in the 90's. If memory serves, they had actually done away with the 2-point conversion in the NFL at that time and only brought it back in the last few years. Or maybe I dreamt that!

That would make a lot of sense if that was the case, as I didnt remember that back then.

Also, I dont recall so many "yellow flags" being thrown down back then either.

[2big4mysize]

Re: An American Football Question.

why was PHG's first touch down shocking? The rule says their is a plane going from the front edge of the goal line up to the sky and if any part of the ball crosses that line before the runner is down it is a touch down even if during the tackle the player and ball are moved back. that is why running back push the ball out and then jerk it back if they are getting tackled. the side jude was standing astride the line looking right at it. the camera was not on the line but in the endzone looking back out to the field on slight angle.

Many wide recivers do that pushing off with the forearm thing and the NFL has been craking down on it on known folk who do it Michele Irvin was the first fellow cracked down on and it frustrated the heck out of him when they did it. All a coach has to do is send film of a reciever doing it in many games to the league officials office and ask about it. the refs for the next game that receiver plays will be watching like a hawk for it and call it.

[Richt]

Re: An American Football Question.

It's only shocking in my opinion cos I dont really know the rules!

To a person like me it looked like it was just pushed over the line as an afterthought. But thats probably just me with an untrained eye.