What it is

A down is one attempt, one play, to move the ball forward. The offense has four downs to gain 10 yards. If it succeeds, it gets a new set of four downs, called a first down.

In a game

If it has not gained the yards after three downs, a team often punts or kicks a field goal on fourth down. Some teams go for it when they need only a short distance.

More detail

Down and distance, such as third and six, tells everyone what the offense needs. On first and second down, teams often run to keep the offense on schedule. Third down is the key down: if the offense fails to convert, it must usually punt. A penalty can also give a team an automatic first down.

Animated play

Blue circles are the team with the ball. X marks the other team. The yellow oval is the ball.

1. The offense starts with four tries, called downs, to move the ball ten yards. The yellow line marks the spot it has to reach.
2. First down: the runner gains 3 yards, so there are 7 yards to go.
3. Second down: another 2 yards, so 5 to go.
4. Third down: a gain of 6 takes the ball past the yellow line. That earns a new first down and four new tries.
5. If the team cannot make it in four tries, the other team takes over the ball.