So for Field Goals, they calculate the distance based on where the holder is and then add the 10 yards due to the uprights being in the back of the endzone. But then for punting they calculate the distance a punt goes based on how far from the line of scrimmage it reaches, not from where the punter actually kicked it.
I know that at this point it wouldn't be a good idea to change this, since it would make previous kicking records hard to compare to kicking stats after the change. But my question is why is it done like this in the first place? Why wasn't it decided to calculate punt distance based on where the punter is when he kicks it, or to calculate field goals based on where the line of scrimmage is? I feel like its unfair to have stats say that a kicker kicks a 50 yard field goal but a punter punts it approximately 60 yards but official stat keeping says he only punted it 48 ish yards.
Comments
My thoughts, ideally, the holder won't move before the ball is kicked.
On a punt, the punter may move considerably from where he is set.
For instance last week's bad snap followed by punterswag knocking the ball to the opponent 40 yd line.
The idea of a punt is to advance the ball and turn it over.so, all that really counts is how far the ball traveled and length of the run back.
Does it really matter, as long as it's consistent?
Field goals get all kinds of exceptions in the rules (e.g. the fact that the holder has his knee down but the ball can advance, or he can get up and run). But punts are like any other play from scrimmage. Consider any passing play - the QB is a few yards behind the line when he throws the ball, but the yardage is only ever measured from the line of scrimmage. It sort of has to be based on how the ball is spotted.
BRO I JUST TYPED THIS
Have a leg.
Thank you, kind sir. Allow me to return the favor.
Fun fact: with the notable exceptions that a field goal can score and the holder can put a knee down, punts and field goals are treated exactly the same - they're both scrimmage kicks - in terms of craziness if the kick is blocked behind the line and who can/can't advance beyond the line of scrimmage among other things.
I think it has a lot to do with the change of possession that occurs once the punt is fielded or downed.
In recent years we've seen punters shank the ball out of bounds without it ever crossing the line of scrimmage. If he were credited with an 8-yard punt, it would give the impression that the defense would take over 8 yards from the previous line of scrimmage. As it stands now, it's just like a QB throwing a pass to a RB who gets tackled behind the line for a loss. It matters much less how far the QB threw the ball and much more where the next play starts.
tl;dr what VTGuitarMan just said.
All about field position. All that matters in a punt is how much you switch the field, not how far the punt actually goes.
This^
A field goal represents the distance the ball travels to get through the uprights.
A punt represents the change in field position.
On a similar note: why isn't the holder instantly ruled down? I mean his freaking KNEE is on the ground. And if you say "well, its just an exception" then how are fakes legal?? The only football thing that bothers me. /rant
Because the exception to the rule is written to specifically allow it:
"Exception: The ball remains alive when an offensive player has simulated a kick or is in position to kick the ball held for a place kick by a teammate. The ball may be kicked, passed or advanced by rule."
Just like how spiking the ball isn't intentional grounding.