Section 6: Scoring
Point Values
- Touchdown: 6 points — same as NFL/NCAA
- Convert (PAT): 1 point for a kick from the 32-yard line (NFL kicks from the 15-yard line, NCAA from the 3-yard line). The CFL's longer PAT distance makes it a more meaningful play.
- Two-point conversion: 2 points, from the 3-yard line — same as NFL/NCAA
- Field goal: 3 points — same as NFL/NCAA
- Safety: 2 points — same as NFL/NCAA
The Rouge (Single Point) — Unique to Canadian Football
The rouge or single point is one of the most distinctive features of Canadian football:
- How it's scored: 1 point is awarded to the kicking team when a kicked ball (punt, missed field goal, or kickoff) enters the receiving team's end zone and is not returned out of the end zone
- Scenarios: The ball goes through the end zone and over the dead line, the receiver is tackled in the end zone, the receiver kneels in the end zone, or the receiver fumbles the ball out of the end zone
- Strategy: The rouge makes every kick meaningful. Punters aim to kick the ball deep into the end zone to force a return. Kickoff strategy is affected because simply kicking through the end zone gives up a point to the other team — there are no free touchbacks.
- Game impact: CFL games can be decided by rouges. A team trailing by 1 point late in the game can attempt a long punt into the end zone for the tying single.
- NFL equivalent: There is no equivalent play in American football. NFL touchbacks are free — no point is scored.