How does football "downs" work? And how do you write this?

Question

I think there are only four downs and in those four downs your team needs to score 10 yards or more to get another set of downs. But am I right? I think you write something like 3-3 to mean 3rd down and three yards to go... Please elaborate....

Answer 1

All the answers before me are correct, but they're leaving out a key element: that is, what happens if you don't move the ball those 10 yards within the four downs. If that happens, it's referred to as "turning the ball over on downs," which means that the other team gets possession of the ball where your team left it.

Only in certain circumstances will a team run the risk of turning the ball over on downs (this usually involves desperation, or being very, very close to your next first down ["fourth and inches"] and taking a chance with something like a QB draw). Far more common is for a team to punt on 4th down (if they're deep in their own territory) to set the other team further away from scoring, or, if they're close enough, to try for a field goal (if the FG attempt is successful, they'll get to kick the ball off to the opposing team afterwards, but if it's not successful, they turn the ball over on downs anyway).

So, even though there are four downs to a set, a team effectively has three downs to gain those 10 yards. After that, they have to figure out how to put themselves in the best position (or the other team in the worst position to score).

Answer 2

A teams offense is allowed 4 plays to gain 10 yards for a first down and then be awarded a new set of downs to make 10 yards more until a touchdown, field goal attempt, punt or turn the ball over on downs to the other team's offense.
You write 3rd and 3 (never 3-3) to describe third down and three yards to go for another set of downs.
A team can also have 3rd (1st, 2nd or 4th) and goal meaning the end zone will be crossed before ten yards is gained. This happens if a team has a first down when inside the ten yard line. Therefore, less than ten yards to score a touchdown.
It's great that you want to understand about football.

Answer 3

There are 4 downs in what most people call a set of downs. During that set of downs that team needs to move the ball 10 yards in order to get another set of downs (4 plays). Most people write the down and the yards like so
3rd and 5 (third down, 5 yards till the first down)

Ive never really seen your way but yeah.

Answer 4

You R correct.

An offense has 4 downs to move 10 yards to get a new 1st down.

In actuality most often an offense will only use 3 downs because if they go on 4th and fail to achieve the necessary yardage they turn the ball over at the position on the field at the end of the play.

1st and 10 1st down and 10 to go

2nd and 5- 2nd down and 5 to go

3rd and long-3rd down and long to go


you get the idea-just watch the game on TV-it is allpretty ez to understand.

Answer 5

You have it right...

The Offense has 4 trys to get the ball 10 yards.
Each try is considered a down.

When they get the ball over that line....wherever it rests...becomes the new first down mark. And they'll ahve another 4 downs to get another 10 yards.

When you write it...the first number is ALWAYS the down.
The second number is the number of yards remaining for the next first down.
Your example is correct.
3rd and 3 is written "3 - 3": just like you have it.

Very good!

Answer 6

Both answers ahead of mine are correct, but I have seen the "downs-yards to go" factor listed as you described it. It's done mostly in scorekeeping and box scores so it can be kept by anyone in any way as long as they understand.