Where does the ball go after a missed field goal in the NFL?

If the kick was from the receivers' 20-yard line or beyond, they get the ball at the spot of the kick. If it was from inside the 20, they get it at the 20.

Is the spot of the kick the same as the line of scrimmage?

No. The spot of the kick is where the holder sets the ball, usually seven or eight yards behind the line of scrimmage.

What if the receivers touch the missed kick?

If they touch it beyond the line of scrimmage, the special field goal rule no longer applies and general scrimmage kick rules govern.

RULE DECODEROctober 5, 20263 min read

A Missed NFL Field Goal Gives The Ball Over At The Spot Of The Kick. Not The Line Of Scrimmage.

A missed NFL field goal hands the other team the ball where the kick was taken, not where it was snapped, with the 20-yard line as the floor.

Rule 11, Section 4, Article 2 covers a missed field goal that crosses the line of scrimmage and is not touched by the receivers beyond the line.

The spot of the kick

If the spot of the kick was from the receivers' 20-yard line or beyond, it is the receivers' ball at the spot of the kick. The holder usually sets the ball seven or eight yards behind the line of scrimmage, so a miss from a snap at the 30 gives the other team the ball near its own 37.

The 20-yard floor

If the spot of the kick was inside the receivers' 20-yard line, it is the receivers' ball at the 20.

01If the receivers touch the ball beyond the line, normal scrimmage kick rules apply
02If the kick ends behind the line of scrimmage, normal scrimmage kick rules apply
03An untouched miss is dead as soon as it touches the ground in the end zone

Quick answers

Where does the ball go after a missed field goal in the NFL?: If the kick was from the receivers' 20-yard line or beyond, they get the ball at the spot of the kick. If it was from inside the 20, they get it at the 20.
Is the spot of the kick the same as the line of scrimmage?: No. The spot of the kick is where the holder sets the ball, usually seven or eight yards behind the line of scrimmage.
What if the receivers touch the missed kick?: If they touch it beyond the line of scrimmage, the special field goal rule no longer applies and general scrimmage kick rules govern.

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