Drop-kicking an extra point or field goal off the turf is still 100% legal in the modern NFL.
While the modern game is dominated by conventional placekicking and specialized holders, the rulebook still carves out a rare space for this vintage rugby-style manoeuvre. Jonny Wilkinson, anyone?
It requires exceptional timing, but the framework remains fully intact.
What does the rulebook say?
Governed by Rule 3, Section 18, Article 1 of the official NFL rulebook, a drop kick is defined as a kick by a player who drops the ball and kicks it as it touches the ground.
It is completely legal from scrimmage or during a free kick. If successful, it counts just like any other field goal or extra point.
The primary hurdle isn’t legality; it is execution. Modern kickers and long snappers have perfected the snap-and-hold operation, making the unpredictable bounce of a tumbling football an unnecessary risk.
| Metric | Detail |
| Rulebook Section | Rule 3, Section 18, Article 1 |
| Last Converted | Jan 1, 2006 (Doug Flutie) |
| Status in Modern Play | 100% Legal, Extremely Rare |
The Flutie Legacy
Fans waiting to see a drop kick in live action carry a nostalgic torch. The last successful conversion happened on January 1, 2006, when veteran quarterback Doug Flutie stepped back for a final-week extra point with the New England Patriots.
Head coach Bill Belichick called the play purely as a nod to football history, allowing Flutie to become the first player to successfully drop-kick an extra point since 1941. Until an eccentric coach or an emergency situation forces a team’s hand, Flutie’s kick remains the modern benchmark for this forgotten art.
Is the drop kick officially dead, or are we just one quirky Sunday away from seeing Doug Flutie’s legendary play repeated?
