A down is one of the four opportunities a team has to advance the ball 10 yards. If the ball is moved 10 yards in one play, they earn a new set of downs. Otherwise, the ball is turned over to the other team.
The downs are numbered, starting with the first down. If the team doesn’t advance 10 yards on the first down, it’s the second down. If they don’t advance 10 yards on the second down, it’s the third down. And if they don’t gain 10 yards on the third down, it’s the fourth down.
The downs system in American football was created by Walter Camp, a player, coach, and member of the rules committee in the late 19th century. Camp advocated for a more open and fluid style of play and believed that the downs system would help achieve that goal.
The downs system was first introduced in 1882 and has been in place since then. The system has been modified over the years, but the basic premise has remained the same.
What Is a First Down?
In American football, the “First Down” is a crucial and exciting moment for the offensive team. It marks the beginning of a set of four opportunities to advance the ball down the field.
When starting a series of plays, the offensive team lines up at the “line of scrimmage,” which is an imaginary line that separates the two teams. It’s where the ball is placed for the start of the play.
The first play of an offensive series is called the First Down. At this point, the team receives a new set of four downs to try to gain 10 yards. The 10 yards are measured from the point where the ball is placed at the line of scrimmage. To achieve the First Down, the offensive team needs to move the ball at least 10 yards before exhausting the four chances (downs). This can be achieved by running with the running back or passing the ball to a receiver on the field.
If the offensive team successfully gains 10 yards or more on the First Down, they are rewarded with a new set of four downs. This means they start from where they left off after the 10-yard gain. Now they have another four chances to gain another 10 yards and continue the offensive drive.
What Is a Second Down?
After a successful First Down, the offensive team faces the Second Down. The distance they need to advance the ball to get a new First Down depends on how many yards they gained on the previous play. If they got 10 yards on the First Down, they start at “First and 10,” which means they need to gain another 10 yards for the next First Down. However, if they gained fewer than 10 yards on the First Down, they face a longer distance, such as “Second and 7,” indicating they need to gain 7 yards for the next First Down.
Once the ball is in play, the offensive team begins the play. If it’s a running play, the quarterback hands the ball off to the running back, who tries to advance as much as possible while evading defenders. In a passing play, the quarterback throws the ball to a receiver on the field, who tries to catch it and gain additional yards after the catch. The offensive line blocks defenders to create space for the running back or protect the quarterback during a passing play.
The success of the Second Down is measured by the number of yards gained. If the offensive team manages to move the ball beyond the distance needed for a new First Down, they achieve a new set of four downs and get closer to the opponent’s end zone. However, if they don’t gain enough yards on the Second Down, they face a more challenging Third Down, with a greater distance to reach the next First Down.
What Is a Third Down?
After the Second Down, the offensive team has the Third Down ahead. The amount of yards they need to gain depends on what they achieved in the previous two plays. If they gained the necessary 10 yards for the First Down, they start the Third Down with “Third and 10,” meaning they must advance another 10 yards for a new First Down. But if they gained fewer than 10 yards on the Second Down, they face a longer distance, such as “Third and 5,” indicating they need to gain 5 yards for a new First Down.
When the ball is in play, the offensive team starts the Third Down. If they choose a running play, the quarterback hands the ball off to the running back, who tries to advance as much as possible, dodging defenders. If they opt for a passing play, the quarterback throws the ball to a receiver on the field, who tries to catch it and gain extra yards after the reception. The offensive line plays a crucial role, blocking defenders to create space for the running back or protect the quarterback during a passing play.
The success of the Third Down is measured by the number of yards they gain. If they move the ball beyond the necessary distance for the new First Down, they gain a new set of four downs, getting closer to the opponent’s end zone. But if they don’t advance enough, they face the Fourth Down, where they have to make an important decision about what to do next.
What Is a Fourth Down?
In American football, the fourth down is a crucial moment and the last chance a team has to advance 10 yards with the ball. If they manage to move those 10 yards in one play, they get four more chances to keep advancing. But if they don’t, the ball is turned over to the other team.
In this situation, the offensive team has three options:
- Punting the ball to the other team and turning over possession where the ball was punted.
- Trying to advance the 10 yards for a new first down.
- If they are unsure they can gain the 10 yards, they may choose to turn over possession to the opposing team.
To execute the fourth down, the offensive team lines up at the line of scrimmage. The quarterback chooses a play, and the players execute it. If the play is successful and they manage to advance 10 yards or more, they gain a new first down. Otherwise, they will have to punt the ball or turn over possession to the other team.
A successful fourth down keeps the offensive team in possession of the ball and the opportunity to keep advancing. They have three more attempts to get the necessary 10 yards. But if they don’t, possession is turned over to the opposing team on the next series of plays.
What Are Situation Downs?
The “Situation Down” is an extremely crucial moment in American football, which can have both positive and negative effects. It’s when the offensive team faces the decision to punt the ball or try to advance on the fourth down. This choice depends on various factors, such as the game score, field position, and remaining time in the match.
If they choose to punt the ball, the offensive team sends it to the opposing field, turning over possession to the other team. On the other hand, if they opt to try to advance on the fourth down, they will aim to gain 10 yards. If successful, they will keep possession of the ball and continue moving forward. However, if they fail, possession will be turned over to the other team.
In summary, understanding the intricacies of downs in American football is fundamental to comprehending the game’s strategic dynamics. With a clear grasp of the progression from first to fourth down and the significance of each stage, players and teams can make well-informed decisions during crucial moments in the game. By recognizing the strategic choices involved in utilizing downs effectively, teams can optimize their gameplay and increase their chances of success on the field. Mastering the complexities of downs is key to achieving tactical advantages and maintaining control over the game’s momentum.
