Why do touchdowns count as 7 points?

[mcory]

Forgive me if this question has already been asked. Why do touchdowns count as 7 points? It make it difficult to keep track of the score. Why dont they count for 1 point each? Doesn't that make more sense?

 

[jmt57]

Forgive me if this question has already been asked. Why do touchdowns count as 7 points? It make it difficult to keep track of the score. Why dont they count for 1 point each? Doesn't that make more sense?

When football started over a century ago kicking for points was relatively rare, certainly in comparison to today. So it was more like 6 points or 2 points determining the outcome of a game (touchdowns and 2-point conversions), with the less rare options of a 1-point extra point, a 3-point field goal, and 2-point safety.

If the scoring for football were to have a reset and start all over again you might have two points for a TD and one for a FG (or safety), but you could also say that you want a TD to be worth just a little bit more than two FG (7:6) - in which case you leave it alone.

Some current debate centers around the extra point: is it too much value for that single play? Should the extra point be done away with, and a team awarded 7 points for a TD (rather than 6 plus the extra point attempt)? Would taking away the option for a 2-point conversion be a negative?

 

[Demosthenes]

I'd add that there are different types of scoring plays as JM talked about above. Each method awards pts due to degree of difficulty so to speak.

If you get the ball in the end zone by running or passing, its a Touchdown and you get 6 pts. If you can't reach the end zone, but get close, you can opt to try for a Field Goal, which earns you 3 pts.

On defense, if you tackle the ball carrier in the end zone, that's a scoring play called a Safety for which you receive 2 pts. Additionally, if the offense commits a penalty in the end zone, that's safety as well, resulting in 2 pts for the other team.

IF Touchdowns and Field Goals both resulted in 1 pt, it would take away any incentive for teams to forgo a Field Goal on 4th down, trying for a Touch Down instead.