In American football, a 'down' is simply another term for an attempt. It's the core mechanic that drives the offensive side of the game.
Understanding the Basics of Downs
When a team gains possession of the football, they are given a specific number of attempts, or downs, to advance the ball down the field.
- The Fundamental Rule: When a team has the ball they have four attempts - or downs - to advance the ball 10 yards.
This means the offensive team has four chances to move the ball a minimum of 10 yards forward from where they started their current set of downs.
The Goal: Gaining 10 Yards
The primary objective of the offense on any given set of downs is to gain at least 10 yards towards the opponent's end zone within their four attempts.
Let's look at how the downs progress:
- First Down: This is the start of a new series. The team needs to gain 10 yards to earn another first down.
- Second Down: If the team didn't gain 10 yards on first down, they use their second attempt. The yardage needed remains the same as what wasn't gained on first down (e.g., if they gained 3 yards on first down, they need 7 more yards).
- Third Down: If they still haven't reached the 10-yard mark after two downs, they use their third attempt. They are often facing a crucial situation here to avoid losing possession.
- Fourth Down: This is the final attempt to make the 10 yards. Teams typically have a strategic decision to make on fourth down: either try to gain the remaining yardage or punt the ball to the other team to give themselves a defensive advantage.
Earning a New Set of Downs
Success is rewarded in football downs. If the ball is advanced 10 yards in four downs or fewer, a new set of downs is awarded to the team with the ball to once again try to move the ball 10 yards.
This resets the count back to first down, and the team gets another four attempts starting from the spot where they reached or crossed the 10-yard threshold. This is how teams move down the field towards the end zone.
What Happens If You Don't Make It?
If the offensive team fails to gain the required 10 yards within their four downs, they lose possession of the ball. This is called a "turnover on downs," and the opposing team takes possession of the ball at the spot where the fourth down play ended.
Here's a simple breakdown:
| Down | Attempt # | Goal | Outcome of Success within 4 Downs | Outcome of Failure within 4 Downs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Down | 1 | Gain 10+ yards | New 1st Down | Proceed to 2nd Down |
| 2nd Down | 2 | Gain remaining yards to reach 10+ | New 1st Down | Proceed to 3rd Down |
| 3rd Down | 3 | Gain remaining yards to reach 10+ | New 1st Down | Proceed to 4th Down |
| 4th Down | 4 | Gain remaining yards to reach 10+ | New 1st Down | Turnover on Downs |
By understanding the concept of downs and the goal of gaining 10 yards, you grasp the fundamental rhythm and strategy of offensive football.
