How Do You Score a Safety in Football? And Why Does It Feel Like a Secret Handshake?

Scoring a safety in football is one of the most intriguing and often misunderstood aspects of the game. It’s not as straightforward as a touchdown or a field goal, and it carries a unique set of rules and strategies. But what exactly is a safety, and how does it happen? More importantly, why does it feel like a secret handshake among football enthusiasts? Let’s dive into the mechanics, the strategies, and the oddities surrounding this rare but impactful play.

What Is a Safety?

A safety occurs when the offensive team is tackled or commits a foul in their own end zone. This results in two points being awarded to the defensive team. It’s a defensive score, which makes it unique compared to other scoring methods in football. But the rules surrounding safeties are nuanced, and understanding them requires a closer look.

The Basic Mechanics

1. Location Matters: A safety is only scored when the ball is in the offensive team’s end zone. If the ball is anywhere else on the field, even close to the goal line, it doesn’t count as a safety.
2. Who Causes It?: The safety can be caused by the offensive team’s actions, such as being tackled in their own end zone, or by their own mistakes, like a bad snap that goes out of bounds in the end zone.
3. Defensive Effort: While the defense doesn’t always directly cause the safety, their pressure often forces the offense into a situation where a safety becomes inevitable.

How Does It Happen?

Scenario 1: Tackled in the End Zone

The most common way a safety occurs is when the offensive ball carrier is tackled in their own end zone. This usually happens when the offense is backed up near their own goal line, either due to poor field position or a strong defensive push.

• Example: The quarterback drops back to pass but is sacked in the end zone. The defense celebrates as two points are added to their score.

Scenario 2: Intentional Grounding

If the quarterback is under pressure and throws the ball away to avoid a sack, but does so in a manner that constitutes intentional grounding in the end zone, it results in a safety.

• Example: The quarterback, facing a blitz, throws the ball into the ground without a receiver in the area. The referee flags it as intentional grounding, and since it occurred in the end zone, it’s a safety.

Scenario 3: Fumbles and Misfires

A fumble or a bad snap that goes out of bounds in the end zone can also result in a safety. This is often a result of miscommunication or poor execution by the offense.

• Example: The center snaps the ball over the quarterback’s head, and it rolls out of the back of the end zone. Safety.

Scenario 4: Blocked Punts

If a punt is blocked and the ball goes out of bounds in the end zone, it’s a safety. This is a rare but dramatic way for a safety to occur.

• Example: The defense breaks through the line, blocks the punt, and the ball rolls out of the back of the end zone. Two points for the defense.

Why Is a Safety So Rare?

Safeties are relatively rare in football, and there are a few reasons for this:

1. Field Position: The offense is rarely backed up so close to their own end zone that a safety becomes a real threat.
2. Risk Management: Offenses are trained to avoid situations where a safety is possible. Quarterbacks, for example, are taught to throw the ball away or take a sack outside the end zone rather than risk a safety.
3. Defensive Challenges: It’s difficult for the defense to consistently pressure the offense into their own end zone. It requires a perfect combination of strategy, execution, and sometimes luck.

The Strategic Impact of a Safety

While a safety only scores two points, its impact on the game can be much larger. Here’s why:

1. Momentum Shift: A safety can be a huge momentum boost for the defense and a demoralizing moment for the offense.
2. Field Position: After a safety, the team that scored must kick the ball back to the other team via a free kick. This often results in better field position for the team that just scored.
3. Psychological Edge: Knowing that the defense can force a safety can make the offense more cautious, potentially limiting their play-calling and aggressiveness.

The Oddities of Safeties

Safeties come with their own set of quirks and oddities that make them fascinating:

1. The Two-Point Paradox: A safety is worth two points, but it’s the only scoring play where the team that scores doesn’t get possession of the ball afterward. Instead, they must kick the ball back to the other team.
2. The “Team Safety”: In rare cases, a safety can be awarded to the entire team rather than an individual player. This happens when the safety is caused by a team error, like a bad snap, rather than a specific player’s action.
3. The “One-Point Safety”: Yes, it’s a thing. In college football, a one-point safety can occur during a conversion attempt. It’s so rare that it’s almost mythical.

Famous Safeties in Football History

Safeties have played pivotal roles in some of the most memorable games in football history. Here are a few notable examples:

1. Super Bowl XLVII: The Baltimore Ravens scored a safety in their victory over the San Francisco 49ers. It was a key moment in a game that came down to the wire.
2. The “Butt Fumble” Game: In a 2012 Thanksgiving game, the New York Jets’ Mark Sanchez famously ran into his own lineman’s backside, fumbled the ball, and it was recovered in the end zone for a safety. It became one of the most infamous plays in NFL history.
3. The 2018 AFC Championship Game: The New England Patriots scored a safety against the Kansas City Chiefs, which helped them secure a trip to the Super Bowl.

The Secret Handshake of Football

So why does scoring a safety feel like a secret handshake among football fans? Perhaps it’s because safeties are rare, nuanced, and often misunderstood. They require a deep understanding of the game’s rules and strategies, and they often happen in moments of high drama. When a safety occurs, it’s a moment of shared knowledge and appreciation among those who truly understand the game.

FAQs

1. Can a safety happen on a kickoff?

No, a safety cannot occur on a kickoff. If the receiving team downs the ball in their own end zone, it’s a touchback, not a safety.

2. What happens after a safety is scored?

After a safety, the team that scored must kick the ball back to the other team via a free kick. This is often a punt or a placekick.

3. Can a safety be scored on a two-point conversion attempt?

In college football, a one-point safety can occur during a two-point conversion attempt, but it’s extremely rare. In the NFL, this scenario is not possible.

4. Who gets credit for scoring a safety?

The defense as a whole is credited with the safety, but individual players can be credited with tackles or forced fumbles that lead to the safety.

5. How often do safeties occur in the NFL?

Safeties are relatively rare, occurring in about 2-3% of NFL games. This rarity adds to their mystique and impact when they do happen.

In conclusion, scoring a safety in football is a unique and fascinating aspect of the game. It’s a play that combines strategy, skill, and sometimes a bit of luck. While it may only be worth two points, its impact on the game can be much larger, making it a true secret handshake among those who love the sport.