Football Down And Distance
What is Down and Distance in Football?
Down and distance in football describes the current scrimmage down and how far the offense needs to go to reach the first down line.
When the offense reaches the first down line they get a new set of four downs. The order of downs goes:
The distance is always the number of yards needed to reach the first down line. This is usually a number between one and ten. However, when the distance is less than ten yards to the goal line, the distance is simply referred to as “Goal.” Also, penalties that cause a loss of downs to the offending team will shift the number of yards needed to reach the first down line.
Examples of Down and Distance
- 1st and 10: First down and the offense must gain ten yards for a new set of downs.
- 2nd and 4: Second down and the offense must gain four yards for a new set of downs.
- 3rd and 7: Third down and the offense must gain seven yards for a new set of downs.
- 4th and 6: Fourth down and the offense must gain six yards for a new set of downs. This is the offense’s last chance to gain a first down.
- 2nd and Goal: Second down and the offense started the current set of downs within ten yards of the goal line.