Touchback vs Safety: Football is a game filled with plays that might appear similar but lead to very different outcomes. One such comparison is the difference between a touchback and a safety. While both plays involve a player being tackled or downed in their end zone with possession of the football, the results couldn’t be more different.
- Touchback: The team with possession of the football starts their offensive drive at their 25-yard line.
- Safety: The team with possession loses the ball entirely, and the opposing team is awarded 2 points.
Though stemming from plays that end in the end zone, these two outcomes are significantly distinct. Let’s explore what makes Touchback vs Safety unique.
Touchback
A touchback occurs when one team gains possession of the football from the other team under specific conditions, signaling a change of possession. There are three main scenarios where a touchback happens:
- Kickoff
- Punt
- Turnover
Let’s break down each situation in detail.
Touchback on Kickoffs
A touchback during a kickoff can occur in two ways:
- The kicking team boots the ball into the opposing team’s end zone, and a returner downs the ball without leaving the end zone.
- The ball is kicked through the end zone entirely without being touched by any player. In this case, possession automatically begins at the 25-yard line.
Touchback on Punts
The rules for a touchback during a punt are slightly different:
- The play is ruled a touchback if the punted ball lands in the end zone or touches any part.
- Unlike a kickoff, a punted ball that reaches the end zone does not need to be touched by the receiving team to result in a touchback.
However, if the receiving team doesn’t secure the ball on a kickoff, it remains a live ball. In this case, the kicking team can recover it as a fumble. This doesn’t apply to punts.
Touchback on Turnovers
A touchback can also occur during a turnover, such as an interception or fumble recovery:
- If a defensive player intercepts the ball or recovers a fumble in their end zone and chooses not to advance it, it’s ruled a touchback.
- However, a touchback no longer applies if the player moves the ball out of the end zone and retreats into it.
Safety
Safety is a different play with a far more significant impact on the game. Safety occurs when:
- The offensive team is tackled in their end zone with possession of the football.
- The ball is fumbled or intentionally grounded in the end zone.
In this situation, the defensive team earns 2 points, and the offensive team must punt the ball to the opposing team from their 20-yard line.
Key Takeaway
While both plays involve action in the end zone, the outcomes are drastically different:
- A touchback allows the team with possession to start their drive from a favorable position.
- A safety results in a loss of possession, points for the opposing team, and a significant shift in momentum.
Understanding these nuances is key to appreciating the strategy behind football’s most exciting moments!
Safety: What It Is and How It Differs from a Touchback
A safety occurs when a ball carrier is tackled or downed inside the end zone. For it to count as a safety rather than a touchback, the ball must have had the team outside the end zone at some point during the play. If this criterion isn’t met, the result will be a touchback instead of a safety.
Here are the main scenarios when a safety can occur:
Safety on Offense
Safety often happens when the offensive team is pinned deep in their territory. For example:
- If a quarterback is sacked in the end zone.
- If a running back takes a handoff but is tackled inside their end zone.
In either case, the defensive team scores 2 points.
Safety on Defense
While rare, a safety can also happen after a turnover. For example:
- If the defense intercepts a pass in their end zone, the defender advances the ball out of the zone but retreats into it voluntarily and gets tackled.
In this scenario, the play results in safety because the player was tackled in their end zone after having possession outside of it.
What Happens After a Touchback vs Safety?
When a touchback is called, the referee blows the whistle to end the play, signifying a dead ball. Here’s what happens next:
- The team gaining possession (via a kickoff, punt, or turnover) starts their offensive drive from their 25-yard line.
- This is why kick and punt return teams often choose to down the ball in the end zone—it provides better field position than attempting a risky return.
When a safety occurs, the defensive team is awarded:
- 2 points on the scoreboard.
- Possession of the football via a free kick.
After a safety, the team tackled in their end zone must perform a “free kick” to the opposing team. This kick can be executed as a punt or a kickoff from a tee. The team that scored the safety can then return the kick and begin a new offensive drive. If you want to understand more about team composition and how many players are involved, check out our article How Many Players Are on a Football Team? which details the team structure.
Conclusion on Touchback vs Safety
While a touchback and a safety may look similar, their outcomes are drastically different:
- A touchback results in the offense taking over at their 25-yard line.
- A safety leads to a change in possession and 2 points for the opposing team.
Understanding the differences is crucial for players to avoid costly mistakes, such as getting tackled in their end zone and giving up safety.