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Lesson 2 of 14 · 7 min

Downs and distance

Four chances to gain 10 yards. This is the rule that makes the NFL make sense.

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Motion graphic

How downs work

Example 1 · making a first down

How NFL downs workFour downs to gain 10 yards. The offence get four attempts (downs) to gain 10 yards. Almost every drive starts 1st & 10: first attempt, 10 yards still needed. On the field, a solid gold line marked LOS is where the play starts. A dashed line with a triangle is the first-down marker, 10 yards on. The oval is the ball.253035404550Yard lines · attacking towards midfield →LOS · start1st down · 10 yds10 yards still neededBall

1st & 10

First attempt · 10 yards to go

Four downs to gain 10 yards

The offence get four attempts (downs) to gain 10 yards. Almost every drive starts 1st & 10: first attempt, 10 yards still needed.

Solid gold line with a square is the line of scrimmage (where the play starts). Dashed line with a triangle is the first-down marker, 10 yards on. The oval is the ball. Four downs to make that marker; manage it and you reset to 1st & 10. Fall short and you punt, or the other lot take over.
Cream circle = offence (they have the ball)Gold letters on dark = defenceGold oval = the ballSolid gold line = line of scrimmage (LOS)Red arrow = rush

Offence (cream circles)

  • QB quarterback
  • RB running back
  • WR wide receiver
  • TE tight end
  • LT LG C RG RT the offensive line (left tackle to right tackle, centre in the middle)

Defence (gold letters)

  • DE defensive end
  • DT defensive tackle
  • LB linebacker
  • CB cornerback
  • S safety

Special teams (when they appear)

  • K kicker
  • ST coverage / special teams
  • RET returner

This is the idea that unlocks everything else. The offence does not get unlimited time with the ball. They get four attempts (called downs) to gain 10 yards. Manage that, and they get a fresh set of four. Fail, and the other lot usually get the ball.

How a set of downs works

  • 1st & 10 means first down, 10 yards still needed. Almost every drive starts here.
  • If they gain 4 yards, it becomes 2nd & 6: second attempt, 6 yards to go.
  • Gain those 6 (or more) and the referee signals a first down. The count resets to 1st & 10.
  • If they reach fourth down still short, they have a decision to make.
Gold line: where this play starts (line of scrimmage). Yellow dashed line: 10 yards on, the first-down marker. Gain that, and you get a fresh set of four downs. The bright line on television is this marker, not paint on the grass.LOSLTLGCRGRTTEQBRBWRWRDEDTDTDELBLBLBCBCBSS1st down
Gold line: where this play starts (line of scrimmage). Yellow dashed line: 10 yards on, the first-down marker. Gain that, and you get a fresh set of four downs. The bright line on television is this marker, not paint on the grass.

On television you will hear this constantly: “second and seven”, “third and inches”. The first number is which attempt they are on. The second is how far they still need. Once you can read that, you can read the game.

What happens on fourth down

Fourth down is the fork in the road. Teams usually pick one of three options:

  • Punt: kick the ball away so the other team starts further back. The safe, common choice.
  • Field goal: if they are close enough, try to kick it through the posts for 3 points.
  • Go for it: run or pass and try to get the remaining yards. Fail, and the defence takes over on the spot.

The line of scrimmage

Each play starts with the ball on a line. That is the line of scrimmage. Nobody on the offence (except the person who will snap the ball) can cross it until the ball is snapped. Think of it as the scrum put-in: a restart line, not a moving ruck.

Snap
The moment the ball is passed back from the ground to start a play: usually to the quarterback.
Line of scrimmage
The imaginary line through the ball at the start of a play. Both teams line up either side of it.
First down
A fresh set of four attempts, earned by gaining the required yards, or given after a penalty or kick-off.

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