The Possibility of Kicking an 85-Yard Field Goal

Summary

In this article, we explore the possibility of a place kicker breaking the record for the longest field goal in NFL history by kicking an 85-yard field goal. We discuss the key factors that contribute to successful field goal kicking, the challenges that place kickers face, and the conditions that would have to be present for a kicker to achieve such a feat.

The Key Factors in Successful Field Goal Kicking
The Challenges of Kicking Long Field Goals
The Conditions Necessary for an 85-Yard Field Goal
Conclusion

The Key Factors in Successful Field Goal Kicking

According to the speaker, the key to successful field goal kicking is having a steep enough angle to clear the defenders and avoid going too far left or right of the goalpost. As the distance from the field goal increases, the margin of error becomes smaller. Professional kickers replicate game time pressure during practice to handle the pressure during games.

The Challenges of Kicking Long Field Goals

The speaker notes that a record-breaking 70-yard field goal would require a foot speed of around 49 miles per hour, while an 80-yarder would require around 56 miles per hour. While elite soccer players have foot velocities of over 60 miles per hour, they have advantages over place kickers, such as not wearing full pads and not having to clear a wall of defenders. The challenge for place kickers is placing the ball between the uprights under pressure, as the margin for error shrinks the further away from the field goal. The farthest attempt in NFL history was a 76-yard field goal, which came up short.

The Conditions Necessary for an 85-Yard Field Goal

The speaker believes that all the necessary factors are present for someone to kick a precedent-shattering field goal of 85 yards or more. They mention that some players are already achieving 90-yard kickoffs, so it’s not impossible to kick an 85-yard field goal. However, the speaker acknowledges that the conditions would have to be perfect, including a stiff backwind, sunny and warm weather, a nice ball, and tall grass. The speaker also notes that what players like Harrison Bucker are doing today is already almost impossible.

Conclusion

While the idea of an 85-yard field goal may seem far-fetched, the speaker argues that it is not impossible given the right conditions. However, the challenges of place kicking and the need for perfect conditions make it a highly unlikely feat. Nonetheless, the pursuit of breaking records and pushing the boundaries of what is possible remains a driving force for many athletes.