down and distance
Gridiron progress markers
Down and distance is the essential situation marker in American football, expressed as two numbers: which of four attempts the offense is on, and how many yards remain to earn a new set of downs.
It's third and seven means the offense is on its third attempt with seven yards to go.
Announcers and fans constantly reference down and distance to gauge strategy—a team facing fourth and inches might go for it, while fourth and fifteen usually means a punt.
- short yardageFew feet needed
- play actionFootball fake-handoff tactic
- two-minute drillFast late-game offensive strategy
- quarterback sneakPasser rushes behind center
- screen passShort football toss behind blockers
fourth and short · chain gang · time management · goal line · punt
- footballfootball, touchdown, field goal, quarterback, end zone
down and distancescore
Numerical standing in competition
time remaining · game clock · scoreboard · point differential · final score
down and distancecareer stats
Aggregate professional performance figures
historical record · win-loss record · box score · scouting report
down, distance, downer, downed, downing, downs, downward, downwards, distant