Split Football Nation illustration showing a one-point kick and a two-point offensive Try near the goal line.

Where Does the NFL Put the Ball for Extra Points and Two Point Tries?

Sep 20

2 min read

Updated: Oct 10

An NFL extra point kick normally begins with a snap from the opponent's 15 yard line. A two point run or pass normally begins at the 2. The offense can choose the ball's horizontal position anywhere between the hash marks.

Part of Football 101. Explore the guide to choose your next topic.

Navy kicker Geoff Blumenfeld attempts an extra point while a holder steadies the ball during the 2004 Army-Navy game.

Those are lines of scrimmage. The kicker strikes a held extra point several yards behind the 15, and the goalposts are another ten yards beyond the goal line. The kick is therefore longer than 15 yards.

One untimed down

The rulebook calls the attempt after a touchdown a try. The game clock does not run. A successful kick earns one point; a touchdown by either team during the try earns two. A rare safety during a try earns one point for the opponent of the team responsible for the safety.

The offense must still execute a legal snap and play. Untimed does not mean exempt from the play clock or ordinary contact rules.

Can the offense change its mind?

Once the ball is made ready, the offense cannot freely ask officials to move it between the 15 and the 2. An accepted penalty or a charged timeout by either team permits a change under the try rules.

For example, an offense initially chooses a kick. The defense takes a timeout. The offense may reconsider and choose a two point play. If a flag creates another attempt, try penalty enforcement determines the new spot and available options.

This concerns relocating the ball. It does not prohibit a legal fake from the spot where the ball already sits. A team can run or pass from the 15 and score two if it reaches the end zone.

The two point conversion guide explains the live play and defensive return possibilities. After the attempt is settled, the teams move to the appropriate restart.