American Football Decision Quiz: Downs, Possession and Penalty Decisions

Choose the next ruling

Choose one answer per scenario, then check the explanation. A is the team snapping or punting; B is its opponent. All situations occur in the first quarter, with no fouls or unusual circumstances beyond those stated.

This draft uses the 2026 NFL rules only. Do not apply its answers to college, school, youth or flag games without checking their rules. The edition and scope are confirmed in the official NFL rulebook, preface.

For further study, see downs and distance and penalty enforcement.

Rulebook

NFL — 2026 Official Playing Rules. Specific rule references accompany each question through its citations.

Make the call

Choose a ruling for each situation, then check your answers.

1. Third-and-4 at A's 36. A's runner is tackled with the ball spotted at A's 42. What comes next? Fourth-and-4 at A's 42 First-and-10 at A's 42 First-and-4 at A's 42

Answer and explanation

First-and-10 at A's 42

A passed the line to gain at its 40, earning a fresh series rather than fourth down.

Rule basis: National Football League (NFL) · 2026 Official Playing Rules of the National Football League · NFL tackle football, 2026 season. Scenarios concern regulation play. Not a rules guide for NCAA, high-school, youth, Canadian or flag competitions.

2. Fourth-and-3 at B's 28. A's runner is stopped and the ball is spotted at B's 26. Who next snaps? A, first-and-10 at B's 26 A, fourth-and-1 at B's 26 B, first-and-10 at its 26

Answer and explanation

B, first-and-10 at its 26

A needed B's 25. Falling short on fourth down transfers possession; fourth down is not repeated.

3. A punts from its 40. Beyond the line of scrimmage, the ball hits B's returner without being caught. A recovers at B's 22. What is the ruling? A's ball, first-and-10 at B's 22 B's ball, first-and-10 at B's 22 A may advance from B's 22

Answer and explanation

A's ball, first-and-10 at B's 22

B's touch permits A's recovery and a new series. Recovery beyond the line ends the play; A cannot advance.

4. Fourth-and-2 at B's 30. A's runner fumbles at B's 29. A teammate recovers at B's 27 before any possession change. What comes next? A, first-and-10 at B's 27 B, first-and-10 at its 29 B, first-and-10 at its 27

Answer and explanation

B, first-and-10 at its 29

The teammate's forward recovery returns to the fumble spot. B's 29 is short, so A loses possession.

5. Second-and-6 at A's 4. Officials call A for a false start, and B accepts. What comes next? Third-and-8 at A's 2 Second-and-11 at A's 1 Second-and-8 at A's 2

Answer and explanation

Second-and-8 at A's 2

Half-distance enforcement moves the ball two yards. The pre-snap foul does not consume a down.

6. Third-and-12 at A's 30. Before an incomplete pass, B holds an eligible receiver. A accepts the defensive-holding penalty. What comes next? A, first-and-10 at its 35 A, third-and-7 at its 35 A, fourth-and-12 at its 30

Answer and explanation

A, first-and-10 at its 35

Defensive holding awards five yards and an automatic first down, even without reaching the original line to gain.

7. Third-and-5 at A's 40. A commits offensive holding during a run ending at A's 42. B declines the penalty entirely. What comes next? A, third-and-15 at its 30 A, fourth-and-3 at its 42 A, first-and-10 at its 42

Answer and explanation

A, fourth-and-3 at its 42

Declining preserves the play's result. The two-yard gain counts, and the third down is used.

8. Second-and-8 at A's 40. During a run ending at A's 45, A commits offensive holding and B commits defensive holding. Possession never changes. What comes next? A, third-and-3 at its 45 A, first-and-10 at its 45 A, second-and-8 at its 40

Answer and explanation

A, second-and-8 at its 40

These fouls offset and the down repeats. Neither the run nor defensive holding's automatic first down survives.

Rule editions and sources

National Football League (NFL) · 2026 Official Playing Rules of the National Football League · NFL tackle football, 2026 season. Scenarios concern regulation play. Not a rules guide for NCAA, high-school, youth, Canadian or flag competitions. — National Football League — 2026 Official Playing Rules PDF: Rule 3-2-7; Rule 8-1-3, 8-1-4, 8-1-5 and 8-1-8; Rule 11-2; Rule 15-1 to 15-3

American Football Decision Quiz: Downs, Possession and Penalty Decisions

Choose the next ruling

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