The Kansas City Chiefs (red) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (black) line up for a play on the goal line.

The goal line is the chalked or painted line dividing the end zone from the field of play in Canadian football and American football. It is the line that must be crossed in order to score a touchdown

If any part of the ball reaches any part of the imaginary vertical plane transected by this line while in-bounds and in possession of a player whose team is striving toward that end of the field, this is considered a touchdown and scores six points for the team whose player has advanced the ball to, or recovered the ball in, this position.

If any member of the offensive team is downed while in possession of the ball and at or behind the goal toward which the other team is striving, this is called a safety and scores two points for the defensive team.

If, during the course of play, a loose ball travels past the goal line and is recovered within the end zone, then it is a touchdown if recovered by the team striving toward that goal, or a touchback if recovered and downed by the team striving toward the goal at the opposite end of the field.

[edit] See also

• American football/Glossary

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