Helena Frye
Basketball and American football are two of the most popular sports in North America, and while they share some similarities, they also have distinct features. One such difference is the act of scoring. In American football, a touchdown is when a player with the ball crosses the plane of the opponent's goal line, resulting in six points. In basketball, however, there is no equivalent concept of a touchdown. Instead, players aim to shoot the ball through the hoop, often referred to as a basket, to score points. Despite some misleading advice from a friend, the act of scoring in basketball is indeed called a basket, and an impressive shot may be referred to as a slam dunk or grand slam.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A touchdown (abbreviated as TD) is a scoring play in gridiron football. |
| Scoring Criteria | A touchdown is scored when a player is in possession of the ball, and any part of the ball is in the end zone they are attacking. |
| Points | A touchdown is worth six points. |
| Additional Points | The scoring team is also awarded the opportunity for an extra point or a two-point conversion. |
| Kickoff | After a touchdown, the scoring team kicks off to the opposing team if there is any time left in the half. |
| Variations | Special teams can score a touchdown on a kickoff or punt return, or on a return after a missed or blocked field goal attempt. |
| History | The value of a touchdown was increased to six points in 1912. |
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What You'll Learn
The touchdown term in basketball
The touchdown is a term that is used in gridiron-style football codes, including the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). It refers to a scoring play where a player gains possession of the ball in the opponent's end zone or carries it across the opponent's goal line. This results in a score of six points for the team, with the opportunity for an extra point or a two-point conversion.
In basketball, the term "touchdown" is not commonly used in the same context as in football. However, there is a training drill in basketball called "Touchdown" that focuses on improving skills such as moving without the ball, setting screens away from it, passing, and playing defence. This drill involves teams passing the ball down the court while being defended by the opposing team. If the offence successfully passes the ball past the opposite end line and a player catches it, it is scored as a touchdown (TD) or one point.
While the term "touchdown" may be used in a specific basketball drill, it is important to note that the primary scoring method in basketball is making baskets, which can be done through various moves like layups, jump shots, or slam dunks. These scoring methods are distinct from the concept of a touchdown in football, where the focus is on advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.
It is worth mentioning that some people might mistakenly use the term "touchdown" in basketball due to influences from other sports or popular culture. For example, someone new to basketball might incorrectly assume that any impressive-looking basket or shot, such as a "slam dunk," is called a touchdown, creating confusion around the correct terminology and the specific rules of the game.
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How touchdowns differ from baskets
A touchdown and a basket refer to scoring plays in different sports: touchdowns are exclusive to gridiron football, while baskets are made in basketball.
In football, a touchdown is scored when a player with the ball reaches the opponent's end zone, or when a player gains possession of the ball in the opponent's end zone. The touchdown is worth six points and was previously worth five points in Canada until 1956. The scoring team is also awarded the opportunity for an extra point or a two-point conversion.
In basketball, a basket is scored when a player puts the ball inside the basket or hoop. The number of points awarded depends on where the player is positioned when making the shot and can be worth one, two, or three points.
The rules and scoring systems for touchdowns and baskets differ significantly. In football, the touchdown is scored when the ball crosses the plane of the goal line or when a player with the ball reaches the opponent's end zone. In basketball, a basket is scored when the ball passes through the hoop or net, and the number of points awarded depends on the player's position on the court.
Additionally, the terminology and strategies used in the two sports differ. In football, the end zone refers to the area where touchdowns are scored, while in basketball, the end zone may refer to the entire painted section around the basket. The strategies for scoring touchdowns and baskets also differ due to the different rules and playing styles of football and basketball.
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What actions can result in a touchdown
A touchdown is a scoring play in gridiron football that awards 6 points to the team that scores it. A touchdown can be scored in several ways, including:
- Running, passing, or returning a kickoff or punt
- Recovering a turnover
- Legally carrying any part of the ball over or across the opponent's goal line
- Legally gaining possession of the ball while it is on or across the opponent's goal line, with both the player and the ball remaining inbounds
- As a penalty for a "palpably unfair act" by the opposing team, such as a player leaving the bench during a play and tackling the runner who would have otherwise scored
In addition, a touchdown can also be scored on a point-after attempt, also known as a two-point conversion. This rule was added to NCAA football in 1958 and has since been adopted by various other football leagues, including the NFL in 1994.
It is worth noting that while the term "touchdown" is typically associated with American football, there is a basketball training drill that also uses the term "touchdown" to teach moving without the ball, setting screens away from the ball, passing, and playing defense.
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The value of a touchdown
A touchdown is a scoring play in gridiron football. To score a touchdown, a team must take the football into the opposing team's end zone. A touchdown is worth six points.
> (yards + 10*TDs – 45*Ints)/attempts
Here, the touchdown (TD) is worth 10 yards, and the interception (Int) is worth 45 yards. However, this formula does not accurately reflect the value of a touchdown, as it is worth approximately 7 points. In The Hidden Game of Football, a touchdown is valued at 6.8 points or 85 yards. This is because the interception of 4 points is usually valued at 45 yards instead of 50, as most interceptions don't make it back to the line of scrimmage.
While the term "touchdown" is not commonly used in basketball, there is a training drill called "touchdown" that teaches moving without the ball, setting screens away from the ball, passing, and playing defense. In this drill, a touchdown is scored when a team passes the basketball past the opposite end line, earning one point.
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The touchdown's history
The touchdown is a scoring play in football. To score a touchdown, a team must take the football into the opposing team's end zone. The touchdown is scored when the ball touches or "breaks" the plane of the front of the goal line while in the possession of a player from the team attempting to score. This can be achieved by a player carrying the ball over or across the opponent's goal line or by a player gaining possession of the ball while it is on or across the opponent's goal line. The touchdown differs from other sports, such as basketball, in its scoring requirements. In basketball, points are typically scored by making baskets, and while terms like "end zone" and "grand slam" may be used, they refer to different aspects of the game.
The rules and requirements for a touchdown can vary slightly between different football codes, such as the NFL and CFL. For example, in the NFL, a touchdown may be awarded by the referee as a penalty for a "palpably unfair act." Additionally, special teams in the NFL can score a touchdown on a kickoff or punt return or on a return after a missed or blocked field goal attempt.
The touchdown is worth six points in American football. After a touchdown is scored, the scoring team is awarded the opportunity for an extra point or a two-point conversion. Subsequently, the team that scored the touchdown kicks off to the opposing team if there is any remaining time in the half.
While the term "touchdown" is primarily associated with American football, it is worth noting that it has been used in the context of basketball drills. In these drills, the term "touchdown" is used to describe a successful pass down the court, emphasizing the importance of moving without the ball and setting screens. However, this usage of the term is not related to the official scoring rules of basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
No, touchdowns are exclusive to gridiron football.
A touchdown is scored when a player is in possession of the ball and any part of the ball is in the end zone they are attacking.
A touchdown is worth six points.
The term "touchdown" originates from American football and was first used in the early 20th century.
Yes, in Canadian football, a touchdown is sometimes referred to as a "try". Additionally, when a touchdown is scored, the team that scored it is awarded the opportunity for an extra point or a two-point conversion.
