NFL Long Field Goals: What's Behind The Rise?

Meta: Discover why NFL long field goal attempts are up! We explore the rule changes, training techniques, and strategies driving this trend.

Introduction

The increasing frequency of NFL long field goals is a noticeable trend in modern football, and it's changing the game. We're seeing kickers consistently make attempts from 50 yards and beyond, altering the strategic landscape of the sport. What's driving this phenomenon? It's a combination of factors, from rule changes to advancements in training and kicking techniques. This article will explore these factors and what they mean for the future of the NFL. The evolution of the kicking game is a fascinating study in how a sport can adapt and change over time.

The Evolution of Kicking Technique and Training

The advancements in kicking technique and specialized training are major contributors to the increase in successful long field goals. Years ago, kicking was often a secondary skill for a player who primarily played another position. Today, it's a highly specialized role with dedicated coaches and training regimens. Kickers now focus exclusively on honing their craft, developing the strength, technique, and mental fortitude required to consistently make kicks from long distances. The science behind kicking has also evolved significantly.

• Specialized Coaching: Kickers now work with dedicated kicking coaches who analyze their technique, identify areas for improvement, and develop personalized training plans. These coaches often have backgrounds in biomechanics and kinesiology, allowing them to optimize a kicker's motion for maximum power and accuracy.
• Strength and Conditioning: Modern kickers engage in rigorous strength and conditioning programs designed to build leg strength and core stability. This allows them to generate more power and maintain consistency throughout a game.
• Film Study and Data Analysis: Just like quarterbacks, kickers now utilize film study and data analysis to understand their performance and identify tendencies. They analyze their kicks, looking for subtle adjustments that can improve their accuracy and distance. This analytical approach is essential for identifying patterns and optimizing performance.
• Mental Training: The mental aspect of kicking is just as important as the physical. Kickers work with sports psychologists to develop mental toughness and learn how to handle the pressure of kicking in crucial game situations. This mental preparation is essential for performing under pressure.

The evolution of kicking is a testament to the dedication and specialization within the NFL, and it's directly contributing to the rise of long field goal attempts and successes. The focus on technique, strength, and mental preparation is making kickers more reliable from longer distances than ever before.

NFL Rule Changes and Their Impact

NFL rule changes, particularly those related to kickoffs and field goal attempts, have indirectly contributed to the rise in long field goals. While no rule explicitly encourages longer field goal attempts, certain changes have made teams more comfortable trying them. For example, changes to kickoff rules designed to enhance player safety have resulted in more touchbacks. This means teams often start their drives from the 25-yard line, potentially putting them in field goal range sooner than before.

• Kickoff Rule Changes: The NFL has implemented several changes to kickoff rules to reduce high-speed collisions and injuries. These changes, such as moving up the kickoff spot and prohibiting running starts for the kicking team, have led to a significant increase in touchbacks. As a result, teams often start drives further downfield, making field goal attempts more viable.
• Emphasis on Player Safety: The NFL's increased emphasis on player safety has also impacted field goal strategy. Coaches are now more likely to opt for a field goal attempt rather than risk a turnover on fourth down in certain situations. The perceived lower risk of attempting a long field goal compared to going for it on fourth down can influence decision-making.
• Clock Management and Field Position: Rule changes regarding the game clock and how it stops can also influence field goal decisions. Teams are more aware of the clock and how to manage it effectively, often leading them to choose a field goal attempt in the closing seconds of a half or game to maximize scoring opportunities.

These rule changes, while primarily aimed at player safety and game flow, have inadvertently made long field goals a more attractive option for NFL teams. This has contributed to the increasing trend of attempting and making longer kicks.

The "Touchback Advantage"

The increased touchback rate provides teams with better field position, making a 50+ yard field goal a more reasonable consideration than it might have been in the past. If a team gets the ball to the opponent's 35-yard line, a 52-yard field goal attempt is within the range of many NFL kickers. This changes the calculus for coaches when deciding whether to go for it on fourth down or attempt the kick.

Strategic Shifts in Coaching and Game Management

Coaches' evolving strategies and approaches to game management have also played a pivotal role in the rise of NFL long field goals. Modern NFL coaches are more analytically driven than ever before. They rely on data and statistical analysis to inform their decisions, including when to attempt a long field goal. This data-driven approach has led to a greater understanding of the risk-reward scenarios associated with different field positions and down-and-distance situations. Coaches are now more willing to trust their kickers from longer distances, especially if the data suggests it's a higher-percentage play than going for it on fourth down.

• Data-Driven Decision-Making: Coaches now have access to vast amounts of data that help them evaluate the probability of success for various plays. This includes the likelihood of making a field goal from a specific distance, the conversion rate on fourth down, and the potential impact on win probability. This data informs their in-game decisions and makes them more comfortable attempting long field goals in certain situations.
• Aggressive Fourth-Down Decisions: While coaches are more willing to attempt long field goals, they are also becoming more aggressive on fourth down in certain situations. This strategic shift can indirectly influence field goal attempts. If a team fails to convert on fourth down deep in their own territory, it can put them in a position where a long field goal attempt is their only viable scoring option.
• Trust in Kickers: As kickers have become more consistent from long distances, coaches have developed more trust in their ability to make these kicks. This trust leads to more opportunities for kickers to attempt long field goals, even in high-pressure situations.

This shift towards more analytical coaching and greater trust in kickers has significantly contributed to the trend of increasing long field goal attempts in the NFL. Coaches are making decisions based on data and probabilities, which has changed the way they approach game management.

The Rise of "Analytical Football"

The term "analytical football" refers to the increasing use of data and statistics in coaching and game management. Coaches analyze everything from player performance to play-calling tendencies to identify edges and optimize their strategies. This approach has made them more comfortable with long field goals, which can be a high-value play when executed successfully.

The Impact of Equipment and Field Conditions

Improvements in equipment and field conditions have also played a role in the increasing success of NFL long field goals. Modern footballs are designed to fly straighter and farther than their predecessors. The surfaces on which games are played have also improved, providing kickers with more consistent footing.

• Football Technology: The design and materials used in modern footballs have evolved over time. Balls are now made with tighter seams and more aerodynamic shapes, allowing them to travel farther and more accurately through the air. This improved technology has a direct impact on kicking performance.
• Field Surface Improvements: NFL fields are now maintained to a higher standard than in the past. Improved drainage systems and synthetic turf fields provide kickers with a more consistent and stable surface to kick from. This consistency is crucial for accurate and powerful kicks.
• Specialized Kicking Shoes: Kickers also wear specialized shoes designed to enhance their performance. These shoes often have a flat, wide kicking surface that provides better contact with the ball. The advancements in kicking shoe technology have contributed to improved kicking accuracy and distance.

While these factors may seem subtle, they can make a significant difference in a kicker's ability to make long field goals. Even small improvements in equipment and field conditions can translate to increased confidence and consistency.

The Role of Altitude

It's worth noting that games played at higher altitudes can also impact kicking performance. The thinner air at higher elevations allows the ball to travel farther, which can give kickers an advantage on long field goal attempts. However, this effect is relatively minor compared to the other factors discussed.

Conclusion

The rise in NFL long field goals is a multifaceted trend driven by a combination of factors, including advancements in kicking technique and training, rule changes, strategic shifts in coaching, and improvements in equipment and field conditions. These factors have converged to create an environment where kickers are more capable and coaches are more willing to attempt long field goals. As the game continues to evolve, it's likely that we'll see even more long field goal attempts in the future. The kicking game has become an integral part of NFL strategy, and its importance will only continue to grow. To continue learning, consider watching a few games focusing solely on the kicking aspect and how it influences the game's outcome.

Optional FAQ

Why are kickers making longer field goals now?

Kickers are making longer field goals due to a combination of specialized training, improved techniques, better equipment, and rule changes that indirectly encourage longer attempts. Kickers now train with dedicated coaches and use data analysis to refine their approach. Modern footballs and field surfaces also contribute to improved performance. All these changes contribute to a kicker's confidence and range.

How have rule changes impacted field goal attempts?

Rule changes, particularly those related to kickoffs and player safety, have led to more touchbacks and better field position for teams. This makes longer field goal attempts a more viable option. The increased emphasis on player safety also makes coaches more likely to opt for a field goal attempt rather than risk a turnover on fourth down. Rule changes may not be designed to increase field goal attempts, but they are a byproduct.

What is "analytical football," and how does it relate to long field goals?

"Analytical football" refers to the increasing use of data and statistics in coaching and game management. Coaches analyze vast amounts of data to inform their decisions, including when to attempt a long field goal. This data-driven approach has led to a greater understanding of the risk-reward scenarios associated with different field positions and down-and-distance situations, giving coaches the confidence to attempt longer kicks.

What role does equipment play in long field goal success?

Improvements in football technology, field surfaces, and specialized kicking shoes have all contributed to the increasing success of long field goals. Modern footballs are designed to fly farther and more accurately, while improved field surfaces provide kickers with more consistent footing. Kicking shoes are designed to optimize contact with the ball, further enhancing performance. These may be small changes on their own, but they add up.