American Football Goals

American Football Goals

American football goals, also known as goalposts, are the vertical structures that mark the end of the playing field in American football. They consist of two tall, vertical poles that are connected at the top by a horizontal crossbar. The goalposts are positioned at the back of each end zone, which is a 10-yard area at each end of the field where teams try to score points by carrying or throwing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. The height and width of American football goals are regulated by the National Football League (NFL) and the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association). According to the NFL rules, the goalposts must be 10 feet high and 18 feet, 6 inches wide, while the NCAA requires the goalposts to be 23 feet, 4 inches wide. The crossbar must be 10 feet above the ground and the poles must be painted bright yellow for visibility. The goalposts play a crucial role in American football as they determine whether a team has scored a touchdown, field goal, or extra point. If the ball passes over the crossbar and between the uprights of the goalposts, it is considered a successful field goal and the team is awarded three points. If a team scores a touchdown, they have the option to attempt an extra point by kicking the ball through the goalposts or by running or passing the ball into the end zone again for two points. In addition to their functional purpose, American football goals have become iconic symbols of the sport. They are often featured in logos, advertisements, and merchandise related to American football. The image of a football sailing through the uprights of the goalposts has become synonymous with the excitement and drama of the game.

end zone, field goal, touchdown, crossbar, uprights

— Nicholas Gray

CITATION : "Nicholas Gray. 'American Football Goals.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=291856 (Accessed on July 08, 2025)"