In the 1974 version of The Longest Yard, what was the reason for the drop kick?
In the original, 1974 version of The Longest Yard, during the big game, the convicts are on the 16 yard line facing fourth and four and Crewe calls for a drop kick. The kick is successful (though if you watch closely the ball actually goes far left of the post) so the convicts get 3 points.
My question is: why attempt what was even at the time a pretty obsolete play instead of just kicking a field goal for the same amount of points?
Earlier in the game Crewe elected to run in an extra point attempt instead of kicking it, but he explained that was because they were showing off and intentionally trying to embarrass the guards. However, since the drop kick play happened late in the fourth quarter while they were still losing, I would assume Crewe would be much more concerned about winning the game at that point instead of showing off.
Was there a rule in football back then that gave them some advantage to attempting a drop kick?
Best Answer
Well, an advantages with a drop kick is that you have 10 blockers instead of the 9 you would have with a place kick, it also allowed Crewe to read the field before commiting to a kick (his opponents have nowhere near his experience or skill so he does not have to play at the same intensity he used to in the NFL where his opponents are some of the best in the world).
I am not sure any of these reasons are the real one though, my gut instinct is that the director wanted a drop goal because it looked cool and did not clutter the screen with more people and movement than was required. It also kept the focus on Crewe.
Pictures about "In the 1974 version of The Longest Yard, what was the reason for the drop kick?"
What is the point of a drop kick in football?
A drop kick is a type of kick in various codes of football. It involves a player dropping the ball and then kicking it as it touches the ground. Drop kicks are used as a method of restarting play and scoring points in rugby union and rugby league.How much is a drop kick worth?
In Arena football, a drop-kicked extra point counts for two points rather than one and a drop-kicked field goal counts for four points rather than three.How do you do a drop kick?
Field Goals and Extra PointsAn NFL kicker can use either a drop kick or a placekick to kick the ball through the uprights of the opponent's goal for field goals from behind the line of scrimmage, or to score an extra point following a touchdown.The Longest Yard - Split RT, Ball Curl on 1
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