A split-scene Football Nation illustration of an extra-point kick, a two-point try and a referee throwing a penalty flag.

How Do NFL Penalties Change an Extra Point or Two Point Try?

Sep 21

2 min read

Updated: Oct 10

A penalty during an NFL try can remove points, produce another attempt, make the try unsuccessful or move enforcement to the kickoff. It is not enough to hear which team fouled. Officials also need the result, the foul's timing and any change of possession.

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An American football official bends to pick up a yellow penalty flag during a game.

The ordinary try starting spots are the 15 for a kick and the 2 for a run or pass. Penalties can change both the distance and the offense's preferred option.

Common offensive and defensive fouls

Offensive holding during a successful extra point ordinarily removes the point and produces another try after enforcement. A foul that carries loss of down instead makes the try unsuccessful; there is no automatic second chance.

If the defense fouls during an unsuccessful try, the offense can generally accept a repeat attempt after enforcement. Some defensive fouls can instead be carried to the kickoff. Personal and unsportsmanlike fouls have additional carryover rules, especially when the score stands.

Do not assume every post touchdown flag goes on the kickoff. A foul during the try is different from a foul after its result.

Why teams change from one point to two

When enforcement permits another attempt, the offense can choose the kick or run and pass option under the try rules. The same penalty can therefore produce different yard lines depending on that choice.

Defensive pass interference has special enforcement. Interference in the end zone can put a repeat two point attempt at the 1 or a more favorable half distance spot; choosing the other try option has its own half distance treatment. The normal defensive pass interference rules help explain why this is not simply a fixed yardage foul.

Turnovers require a separate check

Once possession changes, the order of fouls matters. Fouls before a turnover and fouls during a defensive return can produce different outcomes. Likewise, double fouls do not always fit a simple replay shortcut.

Listen for four decisions: whether the points count, whether another try is allowed, its location and any kickoff enforcement. Those are separate parts of the ruling.