What are the Origins of the Football Point System?
The origins of the American football point system date to versions of rugby played in the US in the 19th century. Walter Camp, who many consider the father of modern football, started a point system where the different types of goal combinations scored against one team were compared to the other team’s goal combinations. This early system was confusing and soon led Camp to rework the point system.
The origins of the American football point system date to versions of rugby played in the US in the 19th century. Walter Camp, who many consider the father of modern football, started a point system where the different types of goal combinations scored against one team were compared to the other team’s goal combinations. This early system was confusing and soon led Camp to rework the point system. Camp’s revised rugby or football point system went as follows: • Field goals earned five points • Safeties earned one point • Touchdowns earned two points • Goals scored after a touchdown earned four points. The system reflected that rugby derived from soccer, and football from rugby. Points made by kicking in a goal were considered of greater value than points scored by running the ball in to score a goal. Recognition existed that goals in a row were hard to achieve and these were awarded accordingly.
