Watch pre- and post- game shows for explanations of and insights into the strategy and strengths of teams and their players.

2torial #0544: Learn2 Understand American Football (continued) Learn about punts For the most part, a team will only use 3 of its 4 downs to attempt to gain at least 10 yards. If unsuccessful, it will then "punt" (kick) the ball on 4th down. Why? Because if a team runs or passes on the 4th down and doesn't gain the 10 yards it needs to maintain possession, the other team gets the ball from wherever the offense "loses" it.   So, if the offensive team does not believe that it will successfully gain those 10 yards, and punts the ball on 4th down, chances are that the punt will travel at least forty yards. This means that the opposing team is now about forty yards further away from where they would have been had the offensive team run and passed for less than 10 yards in 4 downs. Step 6