Football is one of the most popular sports in the world, with millions of fans tuning in to watch games every year. The sport is known for its intense physicality and fast-paced action.
One of the most exciting moments in football is when a team scores a touchdown. This is considered the ultimate goal for the offense, and it is celebrated with enthusiasm by both players and fans alike.
However, there is another type of play in football that is rare, but equally exciting: the one-point safety. In this article, we will explore the concept of the one-point safety in football.
We will look at what it is, how it can be achieved, and why it is so difficult to accomplish. We will also provide step-by-step instructions on how to achieve this rare feat.
By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of one of the most elusive plays in football. What is a Safety?
Before we can discuss the one-point safety, we need to first understand what a safety is. In football, a safety occurs when the offense is tackled in its own end zone.
This results in two points being awarded to the defense. A safety can also occur if the offense commits a penalty that results in the ball being downed in the end zone.
This is known as a “safety touchback” and results in two points for the defense as well.
One-Point Safety – A Rare Technicality
Now that we know what a safety is, let’s look at the one-point safety. This is an extremely rare technicality that can occur during a conversion attempt after a touchdown.
If the team scoring the touchdown attempts a conversion (either a two-point conversion or an extra point attempt), but the play is “squandered” in some way, the defense can potentially score one point.
Requirements for Achieving a One-Point Safety
There are a number of requirements that must be met for a one-point safety to occur. First, the team scoring the touchdown must attempt a conversion.
If they simply choose to kick the ball through the uprights for an extra point, there is no chance for a one-point safety to occur. If a conversion attempt is made, there are a few ways the play can be “squandered” and potentially result in a one-point safety.
If the ball is fumbled during the conversion attempt and recovered by the defense, they can potentially run the ball all the way back to their own end zone and be tackled. This would result in a one-point safety for the defense.
Another way a one-point safety can occur is if the kick is blocked and the ball is recovered by the kicking team inside their own end zone. If the player is tackled by the defense in the end zone, this too would result in a one-point safety for the defense.
Difficulty of Achieving a One-Point Safety
As you can see, the requirements for a one-point safety are quite specific and difficult to achieve. In fact, it is so uncommon that only one has been recorded in the history of college football.
This occurred in 2013 during a game between Oregon and Kansas State. To accomplish a one-point safety, a team would need a combination of luck and skill.
The odds of a fumble or blocked kick occurring during a conversion attempt are already relatively low. For the defense to then successfully recover the ball and make it all the way back to their own end zone and be tackled is even more unlikely.
It is safe to say that achieving a one-point safety is almost impossible.
Steps to Achieving a One-Point Safety
While it may be unlikely that you will ever witness a one-point safety, it is still interesting to know how one can be achieved. Here are the steps required:
1.
Scoring a touchdown – This is the first requirement. Without a touchdown, there can be no conversion attempt, and therefore no one-point safety potential.
2. Squandering the extra point attempt – This can be done in a number of ways, including an interception, a failed run or pass play, or a blocked kick.
3. Fumbling or blocked kick – This is the next requirement.
The kick or ball must be “squandered” in some way in order for the defense to have a chance at recovering it. 4.
Recovery by kicking team – If the defense recovers the ball, there can be no one-point safety. The kicking team must successfully recover the ball to have a chance at a one-point safety.
5. Tackled in own end zone by opposing team – This is the final requirement.
The player with the ball must be tackled inside their own end zone by a member of the opposing team for a one-point safety to occur.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the one-point safety is a rare technicality that can occur during a conversion attempt after a touchdown. There are specific requirements that must be met for a one-point safety to occur, and it is extremely difficult to achieve.
While it may be unlikely that you will ever witness a one-point safety in person, it is still interesting to know how it can be accomplished. While the one-point safety is an intriguing technicality in football, it is a play that is hardly ever seen.
In fact, there have been no recorded instances of a one-point safety in NFL history. However, there have been two instances of one-point safeties in college football.
In this article, we will explore these two recorded instances, as well as a near occurrence in an NFL game in 2018.
Lack of Recorded Instances in NFL History
When it comes to the one-point safety, the NFL has yet to see one on the field. This is quite surprising given the long history of the league.
There have been games that have been close to a one-point safety occurring, but it has never actually happened. Part of the reason for this lack of recorded instances could be attributed to the difficulty involved in achieving a one-point safety.
As we discussed earlier, the requirements to achieve this technicality are quite specific and rare. It takes a combination of luck and skill on both offense and defense.
The odds of all the required elements coming together for a one-point safety to occur are quite low.
Two Known College Football Instances
While there have been no recorded instances of a one-point safety occurring in the NFL, there have been two recorded instances of a one-point safety in college football history. The first occurred during a game between Texas A&M and Texas on November 24, 2007.
In this game, Texas A&M was attempting an extra point following a touchdown. However, the snap was mishandled, and the ball was fumbled by the holder.
The Texas kicker attempted to pick up the ball and run with it, but he was tackled by a Texas A&M player in his own end zone, resulting in a one-point safety for Texas A&M. The second instance occurred during a game between Oregon and Kansas State on January 3, 2013, during the Fiesta Bowl.
Kansas State had just scored a touchdown, and they attempted an extra point from the two-yard line. The snap was mishandled, and the holder attempted to run with the ball.
He was tackled in the end zone by an Oregon defender, resulting in a one-point safety for Oregon.
Almost Transpired in 2018
While there have only been two recorded instances of one-point safeties in college football history, there was a close call during an NFL game in 2018. During a game between the Buffalo Bills and the New England Patriots on October 29, 2018, the Patriots were attempting an extra point following a touchdown.
The snap was high, and the kicker, Stephen Gostkowski, could not handle the ball cleanly. He attempted to throw the ball, but it was intercepted by the Bills’ Tre’Davious White.
White ran with the ball, and as he was being tackled in the end zone, he lateraled the ball to a teammate. However, the teammate was tackled, preventing a potential one-point safety for the Bills.
While the play was not officially ruled a one-point safety, it was a close call and a reminder that the technicality is not impossible to achieve in the NFL.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the one-point safety is a rare technicality in football that has only been seen twice in college football history. The NFL has yet to record an instance of a one-point safety, despite several close calls.
The requirements for achieving a one-point safety are quite specific and difficult to accomplish, which explains why it is such a rare play. Despite the difficulty involved, the potential for a one-point safety adds to the excitement and unpredictability of football.
The one-point safety is a rare technicality in football that has only occurred twice in college football history. Though there are no recorded instances in the NFL, there have been close calls.
Achieving a one-point safety requires a combination of luck and skill, which explains its rarity. The potential for a one-point safety adds to the excitement and unpredictability of football, making it an intriguing topic for football enthusiasts.
FAQs:
Q: Has there ever been a one-point safety in the NFL? A: No recorded instances of a one-point safety have occurred, but there have been close calls.
Q: How many times has a one-point safety occurred in college football history? A: There have been two recorded instances of a one-point safety in college football.
Q: What are the requirements to achieve a one-point safety? A: The team scoring the touchdown must attempt a conversion, which is “squandered” in some way, resulting in a fumble or blocked kick, and the ball must be recovered by the kicking team and then tackled in their own end zone by the opposing team.
Q: Why is achieving a one-point safety so difficult? A: It requires a combination of luck and skill on both offense and defense to achieve all the specific requirements needed for a one-point safety to occur.