Turnover on downs
Encyclopedia
In American football
, a turnover on downs occurs when a team fails to convert a fourth down into a first down by gaining the required yardage.
A team has four chances (each chance is called a "down") to gain ten yard
s or to score. Any ground gained during one down short of these ten yards is kept for the next chance. Thus, if a team gains four yards on first down, it then has three chances to gain the six remaining yards. If a team gains the required ten yards, it receives another four downs to gain another ten yards (an event called a "first down") or cross the goal line
for a score.
Though teams have four chances, in most cases, only three are used. Usually, if a team fails to gain the needed yardage after the third down, it will then punt
the ball, offering the opposing team possession, or attempt to kick a field goal
if close enough. The opposing team will start their new set of downs to wherever the punt returner
can advance the ball prior to being tackled
, or where the punt comes to rest, after rolling to a stop.
But in some instances, a team may elect to use its fourth down to try to gain the yardage, rather than punt. This is often referred to as "going for it" or "sticking" (as opposed to "kicking"). Factors that may lead to a team making this choice are:
"Going for it" has a disadvantage in that if the fourth-down conversion attempt fails, the opposing team will immediately take possession of the ball, thus causing a turnover on downs.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
, a turnover on downs occurs when a team fails to convert a fourth down into a first down by gaining the required yardage.
A team has four chances (each chance is called a "down") to gain ten yard
Yard
A yard is a unit of length in several different systems including English units, Imperial units and United States customary units. It is equal to 3 feet or 36 inches...
s or to score. Any ground gained during one down short of these ten yards is kept for the next chance. Thus, if a team gains four yards on first down, it then has three chances to gain the six remaining yards. If a team gains the required ten yards, it receives another four downs to gain another ten yards (an event called a "first down") or cross the goal line
Goal line
The goal line is the chalked or painted line dividing the end zone from the field of play in American football and Canadian football. It is the line that must be crossed in order to score a touchdown...
for a score.
Though teams have four chances, in most cases, only three are used. Usually, if a team fails to gain the needed yardage after the third down, it will then punt
Punt (football)
In some codes of football, a punt is a play in which a player drops the ball and kicks it before it touches the ground. A punt is in contrast to a drop kick, in which the ball touches the ground before being kicked....
the ball, offering the opposing team possession, or attempt to kick a field goal
Field goal (football)
A field goal in American football and Canadian football is a goal that may be scored during general play . Field goals may be scored by a placekick or the now practically extinct drop kick.The drop kick fell out of favor in 1934 when the shape of the ball was changed...
if close enough. The opposing team will start their new set of downs to wherever the punt returner
Punt returner
Punt returner is a position on special teams in American football.-Description:The role of a punt returner is to catch the ball after it is punted and to give his team good field position by returning it. Before catching the punted ball, the returner must assess the situation on the field while...
can advance the ball prior to being tackled
Tackle (American football)
Tackle is a playing position in American and Canadian football. Historically, in the one-platoon system a tackle played on both offense and defense. In the modern system of specialized units, offensive tackle and defensive tackle are separate positions....
, or where the punt comes to rest, after rolling to a stop.
But in some instances, a team may elect to use its fourth down to try to gain the yardage, rather than punt. This is often referred to as "going for it" or "sticking" (as opposed to "kicking"). Factors that may lead to a team making this choice are:
- Only a small distance is needed to gain a first down
- A team is close to, but not within field goal rangeField goal rangeField goal range is the part of the field in American football where there is a good chance that a field goal attempt will be successful.A field goal is normally 17 yards longer than the distance of the line of scrimmage to the goal line, as it includes the end zone and 7 yards in which the holder...
- The game's end is near, and if the team surrenders possession of the ball, they may not have another chance to score what is needed to win or tie the game.
- The game's end is near, and if the team is in field goal range but is trailing such that a field goal would not tie or win the game, but a touchdown would.
- Occasionally, a team trailing by exactly one field goal's points will elect to attempt a conversion if tying the game on a field goal and going into overtime instead is undesirable for the team.
"Going for it" has a disadvantage in that if the fourth-down conversion attempt fails, the opposing team will immediately take possession of the ball, thus causing a turnover on downs.
See also
- 1st & Ten1st & Ten (graphics system)1st & Ten is the name for a computer system that generates and displays one version of the yellow first down line that a TV viewer sees during a live broadcast of a college or professional American football or Canadian football game A competing system that performs the same task using different...
, the graphics system used in NFL broadcast to superimpose the first down line on the field of play - Glossary of American footballGlossary of American footballThe following terms are used in American football and Canadian football, but see also the glossary of Canadian football.-0-9: A formation of the 4-3 defense featuring several dramatic shifts of personnel...