Football 101

Understanding the downs is probably the biggest key to understanding football. You must learn these basics before you can really enjoy the game.

• Basically, a down is 1 play. From the time the ball is snapped (put into play), to the time the play is whistled over by the officials, is considered one down.
• A team's offense is given four downs (or 4 plays) to try and move ten yards toward the opponent's end zone.
• If they make the ten yards needed within four downs, they are given a new set of downs. This is called getting a first down.
• If they don't make the required ten yards, the other team's offense takes possession of the ball.

The first play of a series is called first-and-ten because it is the first down and 10 yards are needed to receive a new set of four downs.
• Suppose on the first play, the team on offense picks up three yards. The next play would then be second-and-seven, because it is the second play of the set and they still need seven yards to get a first down.