USFL rules school: point-after-touchdown options include a 3-point try

In an attempt to make games more exciting for fans, as well as keep trailing teams in the hunt for a comeback win, the USFL is offering their teams 3 different options for their extra point (or points) following a touchdown.

The first 2 options may sound familiar, since they are the only options offered by the NFL. A team can attempt the traditional 1-point try via a scrimmage kick, snapped from the 15-yard line. Also, they can go for 2 by running a play from the 2-yard line. The third option is to run a play from the 10-yard line, and if successful, the offense will add an additional 3 points.

This is not the first time a professional spring league has offered a 3-point try. The XFL in 2020 offered the same 3-point try from the same yard line on the field. The major differences are that in the USFL, the defense can return a try, but for only 2 points if they are successful, regardless of the try attempt. In contrast, the XFL awarded the defense whatever point value the offense was trying for if they were able to create a turnover and run it back for a score.

Once a team declares which try they would like to attempt, that decision is final and cannot be changed. Even calling a timeout will not give a team the option to change their mind, and a penalty will not allow for a change, either. Some teams in the NFL have enforced defensive penalties on tries by moving the line of scrimmage to go for 2 instead of kicking, but this will not be allowed in the USFL.

The 3-point try keeps teams in the game, as an 18-point deficit is still a two-score game.