Field Goal Distance Calculator

The Field Goal Distance Calculator you’ve asked to create calculates the distance a kicker needs to kick the ball to score a field goal in American football. It uses a simple formula:

FGD=SG+17

Here, $FGD$ is the Field Goal Distance, and $SG$ is the distance from the scrimmage line to the goal line in yards.

Breakdown:

• The $SG$ represents the distance from where the ball is snapped (the scrimmage line) to the goal line. It’s the distance the ball needs to travel horizontally to pass the goal line.
• The added $17$ yards account for the distance from the goal line to the goal post and the height of the holder’s placement. In American football, the goal post is located at the back of the end zone, and the end zone is 10 yards deep. The additional 7 yards are typically the distance from the scrimmage line to where the ball is held for the kick, accounting for the holder and the kicker’s run-up.

Example:

If the line of scrimmage is at the opponent’s 30-yard line, the field goal distance (FGD) would be calculated as follows:

FGD=30+17

FGD=47 yards

So, the kicker needs to kick the ball a distance of 47 yards for a successful field goal.

This calculation provides a simple way to determine how far the kicker must send the ball to score a field goal, given the position of the line of scrimmage.