..GOAL POSTS IN FOOTBALL..WHEN DID THEY MOVE?

[ve6pg]

..does any one know when the goal posts moved from the goal line, to the end of the end zone, and why?...tim..sk..

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

Used to happen most Friday nights, Tim. Pink elephants were the culprits.

Don't take this as gospel, but I *think* it happened in the 70s when they went to the single support goal posts. If you look closely, you'll see that the actual goal part arches outward to the goal end line, the support is just moved to the back. Think this was done to cut down on collisions, discourage tearing down the goal post after games (or, at least, make it more difficult), and things of this nature. They still get torn down, just not as often.

[WD8BIL]

1973 was the last year we played with posts on the goal line. They were moved for the start of the '74 season.
Reasoning was simply to cutout the possibility of injury. Also, receivers would use them as a pick thus the name "post pattern".
The horizontal bar now rests directly over the END LINE, not the goal line. It is out of the field of play. A field goal falling short and remaining in the end zone is a live ball. If the attempt hits the crossbar it is a dead ball. Same with a kickoff. If it hits the crossbar it is out of bounds and comes out to the 20 yrd line.

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

You're absolutely right, Bud. I corrected my previous post to reflect the END Line and not the Goal Line. What was I thinking, or was I even? 

[WD8BIL]

You're absolutely right, Bud.

"Course I am !! 

[W8EJO]

Up your way in CFL land they are still on the goal line.

[k3sqp]

The other reason was in 72 the NFL moved the hash marks ( where the ball is placed ) in  toward the  middle,
thus  chaning the angle and making kicks too straight on. Hence 2 years later they moved
the posts back to the end line...
Frank
K3SQP

[WA1GFZ]

I am amazed at kickers today. Seems it is normal to hit a 35 yarder like a chip shot.

[ve6pg]

..all very interesting...ya, CFL field is alot larger, so is the ball. 3 downs, the ball is thrown more, and it is not uncommon to see the ball "kicked-back", from inside the end zone, if there is a missed field goal, and you cant run the ball out...55 yard line, is the centre of the field, as well..doug flutie, warren moon, jeff garcia, joe theisman, excelled in the cfl...tim..sk..

[k3sqp]

Hey Tim,
Speakin of Doug Flutie , he was the last one to "drop Kick" a score. A PAt in 2006.
Last one before him was in 1941....
Frank
K3SQP
Hey don';t get a guy from Pittsburgh started on football... But thats months away... How bout them Pens....

[ve6pg]

...hey frank...
..ya, the pens...they are gonna beat ottawa on wed. night....
 ottawa is a group of very talented players, but not team mates...very dysfunctional..
 the pens, on the other hand, has a core group of young, exciting players, having fun, with a few veterans just there to keep them on an even keel...a great mix, in my opinion....

  the reason fer the question was, i knew the goal posts were moved, at some time, but on sunday, the movie "dirty harry" was on, and if you remember, "harry" tracks the bad guy down, at a football stadium. there is a aerial view of the stadium, and the goal posts are on the goal line...i think it was made in 1971...got me thinking again....tim...sk..