Will someone explain the whole "down" thing in football is

Question

i know, pathetic. but its so flippin confusing to me, and i'm head cheerleader now, and i have to call the cheers at the right times, and also what does "first and ten" mean?

Answer 1

First and Ten means first down and ten yards to go for another first down. You have up to 4 downs to make 10 yards for a first or reset downs. Say they fail on the first attempt but gain 3 yards, it'll be 2nd and 7, or 2 down and yards to go.

Answer 2

it means your on your First Down, and you have 10 more yards to go, to get a new first down

Answer 3

first down and ten yards to go

Answer 4

A football team has four attempts to get 10 yards... which leads to a first down..... so those attempts are better known as "Downs"!!!!

Answer 5

1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th indicate what try the offense is on, and # tells you how many yards the offense has to move the ball. If the offense moves the ball the ten yards needed they start a new set of downs. However, if the offense commits a penelty or is tackle behind the line of scrimmage (where the play starts) they will have to move the ball a greater distance. As well, in the event of a penelty the ball will be moved and the down will be repeated. So if the its 3rd and 22, and one of the defense commits encroachment (hitting an opposing player before the play starts) the ball will be moved forward 15 yards and it will now be 3rd and 7.