what is this "first down" stuff?? It's like first and forth down?? I feel like they're speaking a different language. I've been around football since High School...But I've never asked anything before ('cause I didn't wanna look stupid I guess....)
2007-02-04 13:51:45 · 10 answers · asked by ariel 2 in Sports ➔ Football (American)
I got laughed at in high school when I asked so you were right!
I finally got it figured out. They have to move the ball ten yards and have four tries to do it. The first time they try is first down. Usually the announcer also tells you how many yards they have to go, so it's "first down and ten." Say they move it two yards. It's then "Second down (try) and eight" because they have eight yards to go. If they move it the ten yards, then the count starts all over with a new "First down and ten." Usually after three tries if they don't have it, they'll punt to push to ball back farther on the other team. Sometimes they'll gamble they'll get it if it's only a yard to go or something.
If they get a penalty or the guy gets taken down farther than when they started, it adds to the down, so it could be "Second down and twelve" which means not only did they NOT get any of the ten yards they were working on, but they went backwards two yards.
Hope that helps!
2007-02-04 14:01:55 · answer #1 · answered by princessmikey 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in football you have 4 tries to gain 10 yards to get closer to scoring a touchdown. When they say for example 3rd and 5 that means in the 2 previous tries the team with the ball has ran or passed for 5 yards. And have 2 more tries to get the 5 more yards that they need to get a first down. Each football field is 100 yards so that pretty much explains it.
2007-02-04 13:58:19 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Told by a girl: When the team gets the ball, they get four tries to take the ball at least 10 yards (10 of those white notches on the field). Each try is called a down. If the team gets past 10 yards during this time, they get a new set of downs until they score or fail to gain another 10 yards. 1st down is their first try, 4th down is their fourth try. If they say some thing like 4th & 5, it means that it is fourth down and they need 5 yards to get a new set of downs. On TV, they have to get to the yellow line in four tries or the ball goes back to the other team. Its really a simple game if you gan get the terms down. Hopefully this helps!
2007-02-04 14:03:45 · answer #3 · answered by Christine T 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
each team has 4 downs to move the ball ten yards. If you do not get 10 yards after your 3rd down, the team will use their 4th down to either punt the ball or try for a fiend goal (if they are on the 35 yard line or closer. The reason they punt with the 4th down is because if they didnt, and tried for the ten ards with the last down and didnt get it, the other team would get the ball right where they are instead of 45 yards back from the punt
2007-02-04 13:57:44 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-05-24 09:29:26 · answer #5 · answered by Shivani 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The offense has 4 chances to get 10 yards, called downs. If they make it on or before the fourth down they get 4 more downs until they get a touchdown or a turnover. If they don't it's a turnover, and the other team gets the ball.
2007-02-04 13:55:44 · answer #6 · answered by Jas2Love9210 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the offense (team that has the ball) has 4 tries to get a first down. a first down is 10 yards down the field. so when they say 1st down and 5 to go, that means they are on their first try and they have 5 more yards of the 10 to get a first down. so when they say 3rd and 6, that means it's the third try and they have 6 yards to go to get the first down.
2007-02-04 13:56:36 · answer #7 · answered by Coolltw2003 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
each time a team has a 1st down they need to get 10 yards to get to the next first down in 3 plays. Once they have a first down they must get another one in 10 yards (again). sometimes its more/less depending on what happens with the play. so basically getting a first down gives you more chances to get to the touchdown
2007-02-04 13:56:48 · answer #8 · answered by bravestdawg101 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are speaking another language. I feel the same exact way! I saw a book called "Football for Dummies" but I didnt want to check it out cause I dont want to look stupid.
2007-02-04 14:01:57 · answer #9 · answered by ceci_*220* 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
but where does the first 10 yard count starts from
2016-02-07 03:21:13 · answer #10 · answered by Bar 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋