What are downs in American football?

It’s one of the most repeated words in football, yet many fans new to the NFL don’t fully grasp how it works.

DAZN News breaks down what “downs” really mean in an NFL game and how they work.

What is a down, and how do downs work?

In the NFL, the offense is given four downs, or attempts, to move the ball at least 10 yards. If they reach that mark, they earn another set of four downs, starting again at what's usually called 1st and 10.

If they’re already close to the end zone, the number of yards needed can be fewer. But if they fail to gain 10 yards after four tries, the ball goes to the other team.

There are other down and distances to be aware of:

• Example 1: If it’s 2nd and 6, it likely means the offense picked up four yards on 1st down and still needs six more to gain a new set of downs.
• Example 2: On 3rd and 2, they’ve already gained eight yards and now need two more to keep their drive alive.

On 4th down, teams face a crucial decision. They have one last chance to gain the remaining yards needed for a first down, but if they fail, the other team takes over possession at the spot of the ball. That risk leaves teams with one of three options.

• Punt the ball. If they’re far from the end zone, they’ll usually punt to push the other team back and gain advantageous field position.
• Attempt a field goal: If they’re close enough, they might try to kick for 3 points.
• Go for it. In certain situations (short yardage, late in the game, or close to the goal line), teams will run an offensive play to try to gain the required distance for a new set of downs or a touchdown.

What teams choose often depends on the score, field position, game clock, and how much they trust their offense or defense.

In 2025, the NFL will be measuring first downs using camera-based technology.

Click this link for more details about other NFL rules and objectives .

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