A field goal has different meanings in different sports:

1. In football, a field goal is when a team kicks the ball through the tall yellow goalposts at the end of the field, scoring three points. The kicker tries to boot the ball high and straight while the other team tries to block it. Teams often attempt field goals on fourth down when they're too far from the end zone to score a touchdown but close enough for their kicker to make the kick. A 50-yard field goal is considered quite difficult, while anything beyond 60 yards is extremely difficult.
2. In basketball, a field goal is any basket scored during regular play, worth either two or three points depending on where the shooter stands. Every time a player shoots and makes a basket (except for free throws), it counts as a field goal. Basketball statistics track field goal percentage, which shows how often a player makes the shots they attempt. A player who makes 8 out of 16 shots has a 50% field goal percentage.