The Evolution of Scoring in American Football

Since the early days of American football, the scoring system has undergone many changes. Week after week, season after season, the league tallies all the points made by each team to determine wins and defeats. But where did this scoring system come from and how has it evolved over time?

From Soccer and Rugby to American Football

The origins of American football can be traced back to soccer and rugby, which were both popular sports in many countries worldwide. In 1869, Rutgers and Princeton played the first collegiate football game, marking the beginning of a new era. However, it wasn't until the 1880s that Walter Camp, a famous Yale rugby player, introduced rule modifications that gradually transformed rugby into the new sport of American football. By the 1880s, most sports organizations had a football squad, and the competition was fierce, with each side vowing to field the strongest players available.

The Early Years of Football Scoring Rules

The present scoring rules were not established all at once; they developed over time. Initially, football games were played according to the regulations that the two teams agreed upon. In 1876, the first rules meeting was held, and no standard set of football rules existed prior to this. Students from Rutgers, Princeton, Yale, and Harvard devised their own sets of rules, ranging from a strictly kicking game to one that included running with the ball.

Princeton’s Early Scoring Rules

Princeton's scoring rules in 1871 were as follows:

Games were played to four out of seven goals, a "best of 7" system. No one was allowed to toss or carry the ball. The goalposts were set 25 feet apart.

Harvard’s Influence

Harvard developed its own rules in 1872, based on the Princeton/Rutgers standards, which were more rugby-like. Harvard's rules allowed players to sprint and throw:

No player could run with the ball unless they were pursued by an opponent and could only do so for as long as they were followed. No player could pass or toss the ball unless an opponent followed. Scoring was done solely by kicking the ball through the goalposts.

Standardized Rules

In 1873, Princeton, Rutgers, and Yale gathered to develop a uniform set of rules. The result was a set of 12 rules, which included:

Games were played to a maximum of 6 goals, a goal being scored when the ball passed between the goalposts. No one was allowed to toss or carry the ball.

Early Scoring Systems

Scoring systems were still in their early stages in the late 1870s. In early 1883, the following scoring points were assigned to different systems:

1 point for a safety. 2 points for a touchdown. 4 points for a goal after a touchdown. 5 points for a field goal.

These points were later modified in 1883:

2 points for a safety. 4 points for a touchdown. 4 points for a goal after a touchdown. 5 points for a field goal.

The scoring system continued to evolve over the years. In 1887, the following changes were made:

2 points for a safety. 5 points for a touchdown. 1 point for a goal after a touchdown. 5 points for a field goal.

Further changes were made in 1904 and 1909, decreasing the field goal to 4 and then 3 points. In 1912, touchdowns were increased to 6 points, marking a significant change in the scoring system.

The Evolution of Scoring: A Bit of History

The evolution of football scoring has never been a choice between the current system and anything drastically different. Each change was a tweak meant to encourage specific styles of play. The journey from the early days of football to the present-day scoring system is a fascinating one, reflecting the sport's development and the desire to make it more exciting and competitive.

Interested in learning more about the history and rule evolution of American football? Dive into the following related articles:

How American Football Got Started The Love of American Football All About the Game of American Football

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