Downs, distance, and first downs, explained.

What a down means

A down is one offensive play from snap to dead ball. The down number tells you which try the offense is using in its current series. "First and 10" means first down with 10 yards needed for a new series. "Third and 2" means third down with two yards needed. "Fourth and 1" means the offense has one more ordinary try before giving up the ball if it fails.

The distance is measured to the line to gain, not always to the end zone. That is why an offense can gain 12 yards near midfield and get another first down, while a team close to the goal line may be in a goal-to-go situation instead.

How officials sort it

1. Find the spot where the current series began and establish the line to gain, usually 10 yards ahead unless the goal line is closer.
2. Mark each legal scrimmage play as first, second, third, or fourth down unless a rule says the down does not count or must be repeated.
3. When the ball becomes dead, spot the ball where the rules place it after the run, pass, kick, fumble, penalty, or out-of-bounds action.
4. Compare the dead-ball spot or enforced spot with the line to gain.
5. If the offense has reached or passed the line to gain while retaining possession, award a new series. If it has not and fourth down is over, award possession to the defense at the proper spot.

Where the yellow line comes from

The line to gain is the yard line the offense must reach to keep possession. On television, it is often shown as a yellow line, but that graphic is unofficial. The actual line is set by the officials and the chain crew, or by the approved line-to-gain equipment used in that competition.

A team does not need the whole player's body beyond the line. The important object is the ball. If the ball is at or beyond the line to gain when it becomes dead in the offense's possession, the offense has normally earned a first down.

How a new series starts

A first down is awarded when the offense legally reaches the line to gain, when a penalty gives an automatic first down, or when possession changes and the new team is awarded its own series. Once the new series is set, the offense usually has four more downs to reach the next line to gain.

First downs are not only offensive achievements on long gains. A short defensive penalty can create an automatic first down in some codes even if the ball is still short of the marker. A turnover, interception, recovered fumble, or failed fourth down can also create first down for the other team.

When there are fewer than 10 yards

If the offense starts a series less than 10 yards from the opponent's goal line, the line to gain is effectively the goal line. The scoreboard may show "first and goal" instead of "first and 10." The offense can no longer earn a normal new first down by gaining yardage short of the goal line; it is trying to score before the series ends.

Penalties can still change the down, distance, or spot, and some defensive fouls can award an automatic first down. But in ordinary play, a goal-to-go series ends with a touchdown, a field-goal attempt, a turnover, a turnover on downs, or the end of the half or game.

Why teams punt or go for it

Fourth down is the last down of the series in most U.S. football codes. If the offense runs a play and fails to reach the line to gain, the defense takes possession. That result is called a turnover on downs. Because field position is valuable, teams often punt on fourth down when the risk of failing is too costly.

Teams may also attempt a field goal or run an ordinary offensive play. The rule question is the same: did the offense reach the line to gain before the ball became dead, or did the play produce some other result such as a score, foul, turnover, or change of possession?

How fouls change down and distance

Penalties can move the ball, repeat the down, count the down, award an automatic first down, or include loss of down. That is why the scoreboard can change from second and 8 to second and 18 after offensive holding, or from third and 7 to first and 10 after certain defensive fouls.

A pre-snap dead-ball foul usually changes the distance without using a down. A live-ball foul during the play can be more complicated because the enforcement spot, whether the penalty is accepted, and whether the foul includes automatic first down or loss of down all matter. The governing rulebook decides the exact result.

When officials bring out the chains

Close first-down decisions are based on the spot of the ball, not the runner's feet, helmet, or where the tackle began. Officials first decide where the ball became dead. If that spot is too close to judge visually, they may measure against the line-to-gain equipment.

Replay or video review, where available, usually focuses on whether the spot was clearly wrong: when the runner was down, whether the ball crossed the line to gain, whether possession was maintained, and whether the ball was short when it became dead. Review rules and available camera angles vary by competition.

Misunderstandings to avoid

• "They gained 10 yards, so it is always first down": the offense must reach the line to gain for that series. Penalties, sacks, and previous losses can make the needed distance more or less than 10 yards.
• "The TV line proves it": the broadcast line is a guide, not the official marker.
• "The runner's knee landed short, so the ball is short": the spot depends on where the ball was when the player was down or the play otherwise ended.
• "A penalty always gives a first down": some penalties do, some only move the ball, and some repeat or count the down.
• "Fourth down always means punt": punting is strategy, not a rule requirement.

Next American football topics

• Holding and illegal contact
• Catch rules
• Pass interference
• NFL overtime rules
• Back to American football overview
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Source material

• NFL Rulebook: series of downs and line to gain
• NCAA Football Rules of the Game
• NFHS Football Rules Changes