Football offensive units are given a set of four plays, called downs, to advance the ball 10 yards. Each play is designated by the attempt that is being made to gain 10 yards, such as first down, second down, third down and fourth down. When 10 yards is successfully gained, the team earns what’s known as a first down. At the conclusion of fourth-down plays, one of several things happens.
Change of Possession
On an unsuccessful fourth-down attempt for a first down, the defensive team gains possession of the ball. If the unsuccessful fourth-down play was a pass, the defensive team gains possession at the spot the fourth-down play originated, known as the line of scrimmage. If the unsuccessful fourth-down play was a completed pass or run, the defense takes over at the spot the play came to an end. When a defensive unit prevents a first down on a fourth down attempt, the term used to describe the change of possession is “taking over on downs.”
First Down
On a fourth-down attempt that results in the offensive unit successfully passing the 10-yard mark needed to gain a first down, a set of new downs is awarded. Typically, a team that encounters a fourth-down situation will opt to punt the ball instead of making a fourth-down attempt. A punt gives the opposing team possession of the ball at a point closer to its own goal line than the point where an unsuccessful fourth-down attempt would. As a rule, most offensive units will only make fourth-down attempts in certain situations.
Situations
Fourth-down situations during the flow of a game usually result in a punt. However, most teams will attempt to gain a first down on fourth down if the team is trailing, it’s late in the game and relinquishing the possession of the ball would decrease the team’s chances of catching up. On some fourth-down situations, if only a yard or two is needed, the offensive unit will choose to go for the first down. Field location also plays a part in a coach’s decision of whether to go make a fourth-down attempt or not. For instance, if the offensive unit is within the opponent’s 5-yard line, regardless of the score, it is common for the team to make the fourth-down attempt. If just a yard is needed for the first down, but the offense is deep in its own territory, the coach is likely to opt for his team to punt.
Field Goals
If the offensive unit has advanced the ball to within a distance of the opposing team’s goal line that its kicker can successfully kick the ball between the goal posts, fourth down will result in a field-goal attempt. A successful field goal on a fourth down situation results in three points for the kicking team, while a missed field-goal attempt, regardless off down, gives the defense possession of the ball from the line of scrimmage, unless it was attempted from within the 20-yard line. In these instances, the defense takes possession at the 20-yard line.
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