Explore the different ways a football team can score a touchdown, from offensive passes and runs to defensive returns and special teams plays.
It is the NFL’s 2008 pre-season, and even though the wins and losses do not count for anything, it is the only chance many potential pro players have to showcase their abilities and grab one of the 53 roster spots by opening day.
In last night’s game, the Oakland Raiders lost to the Tennessee Titans on a field goal with 0.02 seconds left on the clock. However, the game was lost in the second quarter when Oakland, which was dominating the Titans on both offense and defense, allowed the Titans to tie the score with a touchdown following a fumble by the Raiders' punt returner.
The fumble recovery for a touchdown is just one of the ways a team can score during a football game. Below, you will find all the other ways a touchdown can be scored.
Step 1
Forward pass. On offense, whenever the passer completes a forward pass, the receiver can advance the ball into the end zone for a touchdown.
Step 2
Run. On offense, whenever a player receives a handoff, a lateral, or a backward pass, they can score a touchdown if they advance the ball into the opposing team’s end zone.
Step 3
Interception return. If a defensive player intercepts a forward pass, lateral, or backward pass from the offensive team, the defensive player can advance the ball against the offense and score a touchdown.
Step 4
Punt return. Another exciting play is the punt return for a touchdown. If the receiving team’s punt returner advances the ball into the end zone against the kicking team during the punt return, a touchdown is scored.
Step 5
Kickoff return. The most exciting play in football is watching a kickoff returned for a touchdown. To score, the receiving team’s kickoff returner must advance the ball into the kicking team’s end zone.
Step 6
Fumble recovery. During a "live" play, a fumble recovery for a touchdown occurs when the player picking up the fumbled ball advances it into the end zone. Fumbles can be made by running backs, receivers, kickoff and punt returners, and even by a defensive player who recovers a fumble and subsequently fumbles it back to the opposing team before the play is whistled dead by the referee.
Step 7
Blocked punt or field goal. Whenever a punt or field goal is blocked, any member of the punt or field goal blocking team can pick up the blocked kick and advance the ball into the end zone for a touchdown.
Since a touchdown can be scored by any player on the field—on offense, defense, and special teams—coaches train every player in proper ball-handling skills.
Rick Contrata is an avid football fan. In 1972, his Pop Warner League football team won the National Championship.
How to Score a Touchdown
Explore the different ways a football team can score a touchdown, from offensive passes and runs to defensive returns and special teams plays.
It is the NFL’s 2008 pre-season, and even though the wins and losses do not count for anything, it is the only chance many potential pro players have to showcase their abilities and grab one of the 53 roster spots by opening day.
In last night’s game, the Oakland Raiders lost to the Tennessee Titans on a field goal with 0.02 seconds left on the clock. However, the game was lost in the second quarter when Oakland, which was dominating the Titans on both offense and defense, allowed the Titans to tie the score with a touchdown following a fumble by the Raiders' punt returner.
The fumble recovery for a touchdown is just one of the ways a team can score during a football game. Below, you will find all the other ways a touchdown can be scored.
Step 1
Forward pass. On offense, whenever the passer completes a forward pass, the receiver can advance the ball into the end zone for a touchdown.
Step 2
Run. On offense, whenever a player receives a handoff, a lateral, or a backward pass, they can score a touchdown if they advance the ball into the opposing team’s end zone.
Step 3
Interception return. If a defensive player intercepts a forward pass, lateral, or backward pass from the offensive team, the defensive player can advance the ball against the offense and score a touchdown.
Step 4
Punt return. Another exciting play is the punt return for a touchdown. If the receiving team’s punt returner advances the ball into the end zone against the kicking team during the punt return, a touchdown is scored.
Step 5
Kickoff return. The most exciting play in football is watching a kickoff returned for a touchdown. To score, the receiving team’s kickoff returner must advance the ball into the kicking team’s end zone.
Step 6
Fumble recovery. During a "live" play, a fumble recovery for a touchdown occurs when the player picking up the fumbled ball advances it into the end zone. Fumbles can be made by running backs, receivers, kickoff and punt returners, and even by a defensive player who recovers a fumble and subsequently fumbles it back to the opposing team before the play is whistled dead by the referee.
Step 7
Blocked punt or field goal. Whenever a punt or field goal is blocked, any member of the punt or field goal blocking team can pick up the blocked kick and advance the ball into the end zone for a touchdown.
Since a touchdown can be scored by any player on the field—on offense, defense, and special teams—coaches train every player in proper ball-handling skills.
Rick Contrata is an avid football fan. In 1972, his Pop Warner League football team won the National Championship.
How to Score a Touchdown
By Howtodotips
Explore the different ways a football team can score a touchdown, from offensive passes and runs to defensive returns and special teams plays.