ENRUES
Glossary

Possession

Terms

What it is

Possession means which team has the ball right now. Only the team with possession can try to score on offense, while the other team plays defense.

In a game

Possession changes with a punt, a turnover, a score or a failed fourth down. A team that holds the ball for a long time also keeps the other offense off the field.

More detail

Time of possession, the total time a team holds the ball, is a common statistic, but it does not always decide the winner, because a team that scores quickly may hold the ball for less time and still win.

Animated play

Team OTeam XOFFENSE: has the ballDEFENSEOFFENSE: has the ballDEFENSEOFFENSE: has the ballDEFENSETouchdown, then a kickoffFumble recovered!Team O holds the ball: its offense is on the field.Team X now has possession and attacks the other way.A turnover hands the ball back to Team O.
  1. Only one team can have the ball at a time. The team with it is the offense and the other team is the defense.
  2. Possession changes after most scores, with a kickoff to the other team.
  3. It also changes on a punt, a turnover (fumble, interception, or failing to make a first down on fourth down), and at the start of each half.
  4. The moment possession changes, the units swap: the offense leaves the field and the defense becomes the offense.