How downs work in football

The basic idea in one paragraph

Football is a game of territory. The team with the ball (the offense) is trying to carry it toward the opponent's end zone. To keep the ball, it has to keep making progress. The down system is the rule that forces that progress: four plays to gain 10 yards, then the count resets if the offense makes it.

If you are brand new, our football rules for beginners guide covers the whole game. This page zooms in on downs, because that is the number most new parents find confusing.

What a down actually is

A down is one play. It starts when the ball is snapped and ends when the play is over, for example when the ball carrier is tackled or goes out of bounds, a pass falls incomplete or a score happens. Then the officials spot the ball, and the next down begins.

Downs are counted as first, second, third and fourth. After fourth down, the offense must either have earned a first down or give up the ball. That is why fourth down feels like a big decision point in every game.

How to read "second and 6"

Announcers and scoreboards show two numbers: the down and the distance. "Second and 6" means it is second down and the offense needs 6 more yards to earn a new first down. "Third and 1" means one yard to go, which is usually easy to convert. "Third and 12" is much harder.

The distance shown is measured to the first-down line, sometimes called the line to gain. At many levels, officials use a pair of sticks with a chain between them on the sideline to mark it. Many youth fields use a simpler setup, so do not worry if yours looks different.

How a team earns a first down

There are three common ways.

• Gaining enough yards. The ball is carried or caught at or past the line to gain by the end of the play.
• A defensive penalty. Some penalties on the defense give the offense an automatic first down. You can read more in our penalties guide.
• Scoring. A touchdown ends the drive, and the other team gets the ball after the kickoff.

When a first down happens, the officials move the line to gain 10 yards ahead of the new spot, and the count starts over at first and 10. If the offense is already near the end zone, the distance may be to the goal line instead.

What teams do on fourth down

On fourth down, a team typically chooses one of three options.

1. Punt. Kick the ball to the other team so it has to start farther from the punting team's end zone. This is the usual choice when far from the goal.
2. Kick a field goal. When close enough to the goal posts, the team can try to kick the ball through them for points.
3. Go for it. Run another play and try to gain the yards. If the team fails, the other team takes over right where the play ended, which can be risky near midfield.

Some youth leagues change these rules. Certain age groups do not punt, for example, or give the offense a different way to restart. Always ask your league how fourth down works, because it is one of the most common places youth rules differ.

Common confusions for new parents

• "Why did they not run a play?" A spiked ball or kneel-down is a play. Teams may use one to stop the clock or run it out, and it still counts as a down.
• "Why did the number go back to first and 10 after a penalty?" Some penalties reset or change the down. Others replay the same down from a new spot. The head official announces which.
• "Does an incomplete pass lose yards?" No. The ball goes back to where the play started, and the down count goes up by one.
• "Can the offense lose yards?" Yes. A tackle behind the line of scrimmage, such as a sack, can make the distance longer, for example turning second and 5 into third and 12.

Using downs to follow a youth game

A simple habit: before each snap, glance at the down and distance. If it is first down, expect anything. If it is third and long, expect a pass. If it is fourth down, expect a punt or a big decision. That small routine makes the game readable even before you know every rule. Our guide on how to watch football builds on it.

For vocabulary like line of scrimmage, snap and turnover, keep the terms glossary handy on game day.

A sample drive, play by play

Seeing downs in action makes them stick. Imagine a team starts a drive and the officials call it first and 10.

1. First and 10: a handoff gains 3 yards. It is now second and 7.
2. Second and 7: a short pass is caught for 4 yards. It is now third and 3.
3. Third and 3: a run gains 5 yards, which is past the line to gain. The officials signal a first down, and it is first and 10 again.

Notice that the team never needed to gain 10 yards on one play. It only needed 10 yards total across up to four plays. That is why coaches talk about "staying ahead of the chains," which means gaining enough early in the series that the later downs are manageable.

Sources and further reading

1. American football: The play of the game Encyclopaedia Britannica
2. Football Terms NFL Football Operations
3. Football Rules NFHS

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Frequently asked questions

How many downs does a team get in football?

In standard rules, the offense gets four downs to gain 10 yards. Some youth leagues use different numbers, so check with yours.

What does 'third and long' mean?

It means it is third down and the offense still needs many yards for a first down. Teams usually pass in that spot.

What happens if the offense does not get a first down on fourth down?

The other team takes over the ball. The spot where the play ended is usually where the new offense starts.

Does an incomplete pass use up a down?

Yes. The play counts as a down even though the ball did not move forward.

Why do some youth leagues skip punting?

Many leagues change or remove certain plays to keep games simple and safe for young players. Ask your league what its rules are.