field goal

sports

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Last updated

June 26, 2026

Quick Summary

A field goal is a scoring play in sports, primarily American football and basketball. In American football, it's worth three points and is achieved by kicking the ball over the opponent's crossbar during regular play. In basketball, a field goal refers to any basket scored while the ball is in play. The term "field goal" was first used in 1883.1

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American football
Walter Camp and the creation of American football
…and five points for a field goal (a field goal became worth three points in 1909, a touchdown six points in 1912), for creating the quarterback position, for marking the field with stripes, and for proposing several other innovations, but it was those two simple rules adopted in 1880 and…
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…and five points for a field goal (a field goal became worth three points in 1909, a touchdown six points in 1912), for creating the quarterback position, for marking the field with stripes, and for proposing several other innovations, but it was those two simple rules adopted in 1880 and…
Read More