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How do end zones affect scoring in American football?
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American football
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts during Super Bowl LVII, 2023; the team lost to the Kansas City Chiefs.
In American football, the end zones are the 10-yard-long areas located at each end of the field between the goal line and the end line. They are central to scoring in the following ways:1
- Touchdowns: The primary way to score is by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone. A player carries or catches the ball across the goal line into the end zone to earn six points.1
- Conversions: Following a touchdown, the scoring team can earn additional points by successfully running or passing the ball across the goal line into the end zone for a two-point conversion.1
- Safeties: If a ball carrier is tackled behind their own goal line—within their own end zone—the opposing team is awarded two points for a safety.1
- Defensive Scoring: If a defensive player intercepts a pass or recovers a fumble and returns it across the opponent's goal line into the end zone, they score a touchdown for their team. Additionally, returning a failed conversion attempt across the opponent's goal line results in two points.1