As a newcomer to the sport, you'll have many questions pop up during the course of the game. But unless you are watching with a VERY patient bunch of friends, wait for a time out or TV commercial before asking them. They'll appreciate your consideration and you're more likely to get a better answer.

2torial #0544: Learn2 Understand American Football (continued) Learn what the offense tries to do The offensive team has 4 opportunities, or "downs", to advance the ball 10 yards or more from the spot where they took possession of it. If it succeeds, it receives 4 more chances (downs) to advance the ball another 10 or more yards. After a play, the officials measure how far the ball has been advanced and grant a "first down" for 10 yards or more. The quest for a first down always begins from where the ball was stopped during the previous play.   If an offensive team is less than 10 yards from the opposing team's end zone, it only needs to reach the end zone to score. They do not have to advance the ball a full 10 yards.   The offensive team will generally advance the ball by handing it off to a "runner" or by "passing" (throwing) it to a "receiver." Doing either is called "running a play". The play begins when the ball is "snapped" and given to the "quarterback." It ends when the player with possession of the ball is tackled ("down") or if an official blows the whistle to halt play. A series of forward plays may be called a "drive". Step 4