In the NFL, kickers are able to kick the ball so far and high that there are times when a field goal attempt goes right over the upright. It’s hard to tell if the kicker made or missed the kick.
The NFL rulebook states: “The entire ball must pass through the vertical plane of the goal, which is the area above the crossbar and between the uprights or, if above the uprights, between their outside edges.”
The top of the upright in the NFL is 45 feet above the playing field. The dimensions of an NFL goalpost are a crossbar 10 feet off the ground and two 35-foot-tall uprights that are 18 feet and six inches apart and topped with orange streamers, which are always helpful when watching a game with some wind.
Are Field Goals Reviewable?
Teams are not allowed to review if a field goal or extra point was made or missed if the ball goes over the uprights. The NFL rule on replay review is “Field Goal or Try Attempt. Whether a field goal or Try attempt crossed above the crossbar and inside the uprights is reviewable, but only if the ball crosses the plane of the goal post below the top of the uprights, or if the ball touches anything.”
What’s the Tucker Rule?
Before the 2014 season, the NFL added five feet to the uprights after a controversial kick in the 2012 season. It was considered the “Tucker Rule” after Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker had a 27-yard field called good after it went over over the uprights. It wasn’t just a kick; it was a game-winning kick that gave the Ravens a 31-30 win over the New England Patriots.
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The NFL fined Bill Belichick $50,000 after he made contact with line judge Esteban Garza as he tried to get an explanation of the ruling. You can see the kick and Belichick’s reaction here.
The New York Times reported that a set of new posts will cost teams and stadium operators at least $10,000.
After the height of the uprights was increased, Tucker tweeted, “FWIW the only guys who know exactly where that GWFG went vs NE are Sam Koch and myself. Not my best kick but still inside by about a foot.” Koch was the Ravens’ holder and punter for several seasons.
Tucker’s controversial kick was from 27 yards; he has been perfect from 29 yards or closer during his career. He made four field goals in that range in Week 6 against the Tennessee Titans to bring his career total to 101 from inside 30 yards.
