If you are just learning the game of football it may be confusing to understand how the 
offense stays on the field and what causes the defense to get the ball back. Some beginner questions are as follows.
1. How does the other team get the ball back?
* The other team gets the ball back when a team falls to move the ball forward ten yards in three downs. A team actually gets four down and a coach my decide to go for it on the fourth down but typically punts the ball back to the opposing team on down number four.
2. What is a first down?
* A first down occurs when the offense successfully moves the football forward ten yards. As stated above the offense gets four downs to achieve this task. A down means every time a play is run. For example: The play starts, the quarterback passes the ball, the ball is caught and the play ends equaling one down.
3. How many yards does a team have to go to get a first down?
* If you have been reading this article you already know the answer to that question—ten yards!
Theoretically ten yards on three downs does not seem that far to go, but as you start watching the games and getting more involved you will find it can indeed be difficult!
Please check back in with Mother and Son Sports for more football basics in the weeks to come. If you have something specific you would like to learn please let us know and we will do our best to tackle that topic! Yes, the pun was intended :).
by Stacey Atkinson