What is a 2 point safety in football? This question comes up often because football has many ways to score points, but few are as exciting or confusing as the 2-point safety. This rare scoring play can change the entire game in just seconds. Let’s break down everything you need to know about this special rule in simple terms.
What is a 2 Point Safety in Football ?
A safety is when the defense gets 2 points because the offense makes a mistake in their own end zone. Think of it like this: when a team gets pushed back so far that bad things happen in their own scoring area, the other team gets rewarded with points.
The safety in football is worth 2 points and happens when:
- A player gets tackled in their own end zone
- The ball behind its own goal line becomes dead in the end zone
- An offensive player commits a penalty in their own end zone
- The ball goes out of bounds behind its own goal line
This is different from other ways to score like a touchdown (6 points), field goal (3 points), or extra point (1 point). The safety is one of the rarest scoring plays in football.
Read More: What Is a Safety in Football? NFL Safety Position, Tackles & Rules
How Does a Safety Occur in a Football Game?
There are several common situations where a safety occurs. Here are the main ways:
Common Safety Situations
- Quarterback Sack in End Zone
- The quarterback gets tackled behind the goal line
- This is the most common way for a safety to happen
- Fumble in End Zone
- A player drops the ball (fumble) in their own end zone
- The defensive team recovers it or it goes out of bounds
- Penalty in End Zone
- Offensive team commits holding or other penalties in end zone
- When this happens, it’s ruled a safety
- Intentional Grounding
- Quarterback throws ball away while in his own end zone
- This safety occurs when the ball is thrown illegally
Safety vs Other Ways to Score Points
Let’s compare the safety to other scoring methods in football:
| Scoring Type | Points | How It Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Touchdown | 6 points | Ball crosses goal line |
| Field Goal | 3 points | Kicker scores through uprights |
| Safety | 2 points | Offense makes mistake in end zone |
| Extra Point | 1 point | Kick after touchdown |
The defense can score these 2 points without even having possession of the ball. After a safety is scored, the team that gave up the safety must punt the ball back to the other team from their own 20-yard line.
Famous Safety Examples in NFL History
NFL games have seen some amazing safety moments. In NFL history, these plays have decided important games. College football also has memorable safety plays that fans still talk about today.
NFL team coaches always teach players to be extra careful near their own goal line. One wrong move can give the other team 2 points and great field position.
What Happens After a Safety is Scored?
When a safety is awarded, several things happen:
- Points are added – The defensive team gets 2 pts on the scoreboard
- Free kick – The team that gave up the safety must kick from their 20-yard line
- Field position – The scoring team gets good field position to try to score again
This makes the safety extra valuable. Not only does your team score 2 points, but you also get the ball back in a good spot to score more points.
Understanding Different Types of Safeties
Most people don’t know there are actually different types of safeties:
Regular Safety (2 Points)
This is what we’ve been talking about – when the offensive team makes a mistake in their own end zone.
One-Point Safety
One-point safeties are extremely rare. This can only happen during a conversion attempt after a touchdown. If the defense gets possession of the football during a 2-point conversion and then gets tackled in their own end zone, the offense gets 1 point.
The one point safety is so rare that many NFL fans have never seen one. It’s confused with the safety position (the defensive player), but they’re completely different things.
Strategy Around the Safety
Smart teams use different strategies when playing near the goal line:
Defensive Strategy
- Rush the quarterback hard to force a sack
- Cover receivers tightly to force bad throws
- Watch for fumble opportunities
Offensive Strategy
- Offensive team coaches teach quarterbacks to throw the ball away safely
- Run plays that move away from the end zone
- Avoid penalties at all costs
Special teams coaches also prepare for post-safety situations since the punt after a safety is different from regular punts.
How Safeties Compare to Other Scoring
In the game of football, there are six ways to score:
- Touchdown – Six points (most valuable)
- Field goal – Three points
- Safety – Two points as well
- 2-point conversion – Two additional points after touchdown
- Extra point – Points after scoring a touchdown (1 point)
- One point safety – 1 point (extremely rare)
The safety stands out because it’s the only way to score in football where you don’t need possession of the ball to score points.
Why Understanding Safeties Matters
Learning about safeties helps you enjoy football more. When you see a team backed up near their own goal line, you’ll know to watch for safety opportunities. The rules of football can seem complex, but the safety rule is actually quite simple once you understand it.
Teams work hard to avoid giving up these points for the other team. A safety can swing momentum and put points on the scoreboard at crucial moments. Whether it’s a two point play or the rare one-point version, safeties create exciting moments that fans remember for years.
Conclusion: Mastering the Safety in American Football
Understanding what is a 2 point safety in football makes you a smarter fan. This rare but exciting scoring play happens when the offensive team makes a mistake in their own end zone, giving the defensive team 2 points and possession of the ball.
The safety is worth 2 points and creates momentum shifts that can decide games. Whether it happens from a quarterback sack, a fumble, or a penalty, the result is always the same – points for the other team and a chance to score again.
Remember these key points about safeties:
- They’re one of the rarest ways to score points in football
- The team that gives up a safety must punt from their 20-yard line
- Safety occurs when bad things happen in your own end zone
- Both NFL football and college football use the same basic safety rules
The next time you watch a football game, pay attention when teams get close to their own end zone. You might see this exciting play that scores two points and changes everything. In the NFL, every point matters, and the safety can be the difference between win
FAQs
How often do safeties happen?
Safeties are rare in football. Most NFL games don’t have any safety scoring.
Can you get more than 2 points from a safety?
No, a regular safety is always worth two points. The scoring play never gives more than this amount.
What’s the difference between a safety and a touchback?
A touchback gives no points and happens when the ball goes into the end zone during a kick. A safety gives the defensive player‘s team points for a safety.
What is the 2 point safety rule?
A 2-point safety occurs when the offensive team is tackled, commits a penalty, or loses the ball in their own end zone, awarding 2 points to the defensive team.
How do you score 2 points in football without a touchdown?
You score 2 points without a touchdown by forcing the opposing team to make a mistake (like getting sacked or fumbling) in their own end zone.
What is 2 pts in football?
2 pts in football refers to a safety – when the defense gets 2 points because the offense made an error in their own end zone.
