Overview

A touchdown is the principal way to score in gridiron football. In both American football and Canadian football a touchdown is awarded when a player secures legal possession of the ball while the ball has crossed the plane of the opponent's goal line or is caught in the opponent's end zone. It is the highest-value single scoring play in normal play.

How a touchdown is awarded

Officiating focuses on whether the ball breaks the goal line plane while controlled by a player. Control, possession and body position matter: the player must have established possession and—if catching the ball—be in bounds. The traditional requirement to "touch down" the ball on the ground, once derived from rugby, has been replaced by the modern plane rule.

Common ways to score

  • Rushing: a ball carrier runs across the goal line.
  • Receiving: a forward pass is caught in the end zone or the receiver lands inbounds after a catch.
  • Returns: interception, punt, kickoff or fumble returns taken into the end zone.
  • Recovery: recovering a loose ball (fumble or blocked kick) in the opponent's end zone.

Points and conversions

A touchdown is worth six points in both major codes. After scoring, the scoring team is offered an opportunity to add extra points: typically a kick for a single point or a scrimmage play for a two-point conversion. Specific procedures and spot of the try differ between leagues and levels of play, but the fundamental choice between one-point and two-point attempts is universal.

History and terminology

The term "touchdown" originates from early forms of football and rugby, where grounding the ball in the scoring area was required. Over time the requirement evolved into the modern concept of crossing the goal plane while in possession. The phrase remains widely used in commentary and rulebooks.

Importance and notable facts

Touchdowns shape strategy: teams aim to convert red‑zone opportunities into touchdowns rather than settling for field goals. Video review commonly affects touchdown rulings because the exact moment the ball crosses the plane or whether a receiver had possession can be decisive. For further details about scoring rules and statistics, see general scoring references and resources.