Missed field goal

The missed field goal occurs if the kicked ball doesn’t arrive between goalposts and uprights. It is often called a wide left or wide right, depending on the side of the kick. Sometimes the missed field goal is considered short as the distance was inappropriate for the successful kick.

The ball which became dead in the field of play after the missed field goal hits the goalpost or touched by receiver returns to the line of scrimmage. In other situations, the possession is regulated with the rules. NFL decided that the possession depends on the distance to the 20-yard line of the defending team. If it’s closer to end zone, the ball places at the 20-yard line. If it’s far behind, the ball returns in the game from the spot of kick.

The NCAA footballers restart from the line of scrimmage more often than from the spot of the kick. If the kick gets close to 20 yards line, the place of return is that line. High school leagues except Massachusets and Texas branches define the dead ball and ask the team to return the ball from that place. The missed field goal entering the end zone, considers as a touchback.