A safety in American football is a scoring play that benefits the defense or special teams.
It occurs when the offensive team commits a foul in its own end zone, fumbles the ball out of its end zone, or is tackled behind its own goal line.
When a safety is called, the defensive team is awarded two points and receives possession of the ball.
What Is a Safety in Football?
According to the NFL rulebook, a safety occurs:
“If the offense commits a foul in its end zone or; when an impetus by a team sends the ball behind its own goal line, and the ball is dead in the end zone in its possession, or the ball is out of bounds behind the goal line.”
Although safeties are rare, they can happen when the offense makes a mistake or is forced deep into its own territory. Whenever a safety occurs, the referee signals it by raising both arms above their head in a triangle shape.
Safeties typically result from defensive pressure, poor offensive execution, or special teams errors. Since safeties not only award two points but also result in a change of possession, they can be momentum-shifting plays in a game.
How to Score a Safety
There are two primary ways a defense can score a safety:
1. Tackling an Offensive Player in the End Zone
- If a ball carrier is tackled in their own end zone with any part of the football still inside, it results in a safety.
- The defense typically forces safeties when the offense is pinned inside its own 5-yard line and struggles to gain yardage.
Example: If a quarterback drops back to pass and is sacked in the end zone, it’s a safety.
2. The Ball Goes Out of the End Zone
- If the offense fumbles the ball out of its own end zone, it results in a safety.
- This is common on special teams plays, such as a bad snap on a punt.
Example: If a long snapper accidentally snaps the ball over the punter’s head and it rolls out of the end zone, it’s a safety.
In both cases, the defensive team receives two points and gains possession of the ball on a free kick.
Why Teams Punt After a Safety
After giving up a safety, the team that allowed it must kick the ball back to the opposing team. They can choose between:
- A free kick (kickoff)
- A punt (more common choice)
Why Do Teams Prefer to Punt?
- Higher Hang Time: Punts stay in the air longer, giving the coverage team more time to get downfield.
- More Control: Punters can aim for better field position and limit the opponent’s return.
- Onside Kick Possibility: If needed, teams can attempt an onside punt to regain possession.
This rule makes safeties a double penalty for the offense—not only do they lose two points, but they must also give the ball back.
Impact of a Safety in Football
Safeties are momentum-shifting plays because they:
- Give the defensive team 2 points
- Force the offense to kick the ball away
- Often result in better field position for the scoring team
Because of these effects, defenses increase their pressure when an opponent is backed up inside their own 5-yard line.
To avoid a safety, offenses often:
- Call quick pass plays to move out of their end zone
- Use a quarterback sneak to gain yardage
- Try long passes to flip the field position
Rare Situations: The One-Point Safety
Although extremely rare, a one-point safety can occur in football. This happens in college football when a team attempts a two-point conversion or extra point, but the ball is fumbled and ends up in their own end zone. The defending team is awarded one point instead of two.
This has only happened a few times in NCAA history.
A safety in football is a defensive scoring play that results in two points for the defense and a change of possession.
While safeties are rare, they can have a big impact on the game by swinging momentum in favor of the defense.
