Alright, so you wanna know what this “PAT” thing is in football, huh? Well, lemme tell ya, it ain’t nothin’ fancy. It’s just somethin’ they do after them fellas run real fast and get that ball across the line, ya know, a touchdown. They get a chance to get a little extra somethin’ somethin’.
What’s a PAT? Simple as Pie
See, PAT, that just means “point after touchdown.” Some folks, they call it an “extra point” too. Same thing, just different words. It’s like callin’ supper “dinner” or “tea,” depends on where you’re from, I reckon. Anyways, after they score that touchdown, the team gets to try and kick the ball through them tall yellow posts, the goalposts they call ’em. If they make it, they get one more point. Just one, not a whole bunch, just one measly little point.
Kickin’ it Through the Uprights
Now, this kick ain’t from way far out yonder. They move the ball real close, like just a few steps away from the endzone. It’s a short kick, see? Should be easy, but sometimes, them fellas get nervous and miss it. Happens to the best of ’em, I tell ya. It’s like tryin’ to thread a needle, but with your foot and a big ol’ football. And them goalposts, they ain’t as wide as they look from the stands, I betcha.
- They line up
- They kick the ball
- It either goes through the posts or it don’t
That’s all there is to it, plain and simple.
More Than One Way to Skin a Cat… or Get Extra Points
Now, hold yer horses, ’cause there’s more to it than just kickin’. Sometimes, a team, they get greedy, they don’t want just one point. They want two! So, they can try somethin’ different. Instead of kickin’, they can try to run or pass the ball into the endzone again. It’s harder, way harder, but if they make it, they get two points. It’s a gamble, see? High risk, high reward, like plantin’ corn in the spring, you never know how it’ll turn out.
PAT in College and the Big Leagues
This PAT thing, they do it in college ball and that professional football too, the NFL they call it. Same rules, pretty much. Kick it for one, or try somethin’ fancy for two. It’s all part of the game, see? Adds a little spice to it, keeps things excitin’.
Why’s it Called PAT Anyways?
Like I said before, PAT stands for point after touchdown. It’s just a fancy way of sayin’ you get an extra point after you score a touchdown. They like to use them fancy words, those football fellas, makes ‘em sound smart, I guess. But it ain’t nothin’ more complicated than that. It’s just like callin’ a pig a “swine” or a “hog,” still the same critter, just a different name.
Old Footballs and Pigskins
Now, you might hear some old-timers call the football a “pigskin.” That’s ’cause way back when, they used to make them footballs outta pig hide. Can ya believe that? Nowadays, they use fancy leather and rubber, but the name stuck around, I guess. Just like how some folks still call a refrigerator an “icebox,” even though it don’t use no ice no more.
So, there you have it. That’s what a PAT is in football. Nothin’ too complicated, just a little extra somethin’ after a touchdown. You got your kick for one point, or you can try for two if you’re feelin’ lucky. It’s all part of the game, see? And now you know, so you can sound all smart when you’re watchin’ the game with your friends and family.
Tags: [‘PAT’, ‘extra point’, ‘touchdown’, ‘football’, ‘NFL’, ‘college football’, ‘kicking’, ‘scoring’, ‘American football’, ‘rules’]
