Four point field goal

Abstract

A method of stimulating competition between competing football teams and adding to spectator interest. The method comprises the step of allowing a four point field goal attempt in a final quarter of a football game when certain predetermined conditions are met.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is closely related to and claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/636,709 filed Dec. 16, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to the game of football and, more particularly, this invention relates to an improved method of scoring in which a field goal may count for four points.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The game of football is followed by countless millions of people throughout the Unite States. Whether the game is a game between high school teams, college teams or professional teams there will be many people watching the game either in person or on television.

One problem that is encountered with the game of football or with any other sporting event whose format is based on time basis is that when a team is losing and can=t score enough points because time is running out the interest is lost because the outcome is already decided.

It would be advantageous to stimulate competition and spectator interest if there were an alternate means for the losing team to tie the score.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method of stimulating competition between competing football teams and adding to spectator interest. The method comprises the step of allowing a four point field goal attempt in a final quarter of a football game when certain predetermined conditions are met.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a four point field goal concept.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a means for a losing team to overcome a four point lead in the last quarter.

Yet, another object of the present invention is to provide a change in the rules of football to provide for a four point field goal under certain circumstances.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the invention which have been described in some specific detail above it should be noted that various other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description, particularly when such description is taken in conjunction with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a change in the rules of football in which there is provided for a four point field goal under certain circumstances, thereby providing a method of stimulating competition between competing football teams and adding to spectator interest. The method comprises the step of allowing a four point field goal attempt in a final quarter of a football game when certain predetermined conditions are met. Such a four point field goal would be analogous to the A two-point conversion that was instituted years ago for a similar purpose.

The invention provides that such four point field goal can only be attempted in the fourth quarter. Further, such four point field goal; can be attempted on any down but it must be in the fourth quarter. The team electing to attempt a four point field goal must have advanced the ball to the opponents 10 yard line or less.

In attempting the four point field goal the ball is placed on the 33 yard line which means that it would necessitate a kick of substantially 50 yards. This would be 33 yards from the opponents goal line, add 10 yards because the goal posts are at the back of the end zone (10 yards) and seven yards where the holder holds the ball. Thus, it makes for a difficult field goal and probably would only be used in the pros since the difficulty would be extremely great for high school football games and probably most college games since it is still a difficult kick even for the pros. However, it is within the concept of the invention that such invention with some minor modifications could be adapted to a high school format.

If the attempt is successful then four points are awarded to the kicking team and a kick off to the opposing team is in order (this is providing that there is still time left on the clock). All other possibilities regarding attempted field goals (i.e. missed, blocked, etc.) are governed by the existing NFL or NCAA rules. There is one exception to the above rules and that pertains to games played at stadia who have a field elevation of 3000 ft or more above mean sea level (MSL). This exception is that the kick is executed from the 43 yard line rather than the 33 yard line since at the higher elevations the ball tends to travel farther. Thus, the kick in these circumstances would be substantially a 60 yard attempt.

There are no limits involving the number of times the four point field goal can be attempted, providing that the team qualifies according to the aforementioned conditions. However, since the team attempting such a kick must have advanced the ball to within the ten yard line it would be unlikely that the kick would be attempted while there is significant time on the clock. However, such a kick would be a welcome possibility if a team were down by four points late in the fourth quarter with very little time left on the clock.

While a presently preferred embodiment and alternate embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, it should be understood that various other adaptations and/or modifications of the invention can be made by those persons who are particularly skilled in the art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of stimulating competition between competing football teams and adding to spectator interest, said method comprising the step of allowing a four point field goal attempt in a final quarter of a football game when certain predetermined conditions are met.

2. The method, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined conditions include such team electing to attempt a four point field goal must have advanced the ball to at least the opponents 15 yard line.

3. The method, according to claim 2, wherein said predetermined conditions further include such ball is then placed on opponents 33 yard line, thereby necessitating a kick of substantially 50 yards.

4. The method, according to claim 3, wherein said predetermined conditions further include that if such field goal is successful 4 points are awarded to such kicking team and such team must kickoff to such opposing team provided there is still time left in such game.

5. The method, according to claim 4, wherein said predetermined conditions further include that there is no limit involving a number of times that such four point field goal may be utilized providing that such attempting team qualifies according to said predetermined conditions.

6. The method, according to claim 1, wherein all other possibilities regarding attempted field goals are governed by such current rules in force by one of such NCAA and NFL.

7. The method, according to claim 3, wherein said predetermined conditions further include that if said four point field goal is attempted at a field where such field's elevation is at or above 3000 feet MSL, such kick must be executed from such opponents 43 yard line necessitating a kick of substantially 60 yards.

8. The method, according to claim 1, wherein said four point field goal can be attempted on any down.