second down
After first attempt
Second down is the second of four attempts a team has to advance the ball ten yards in American football.
It follows an unsuccessful first down and precedes third down.
The phrase appears with the remaining yardage: second down and seven, second and long.
Teams typically run more conservative plays on second down than on third.
- line of scrimmageFootball's pre-snap boundary
- goal lineScoring boundary stripe
- yardageLength in yards
- rushingRapid forward movement
- ball carrierPlayer with the football
passing · play action · quarterback · drive · two minute drill · play · chains · offense · football · NFL · snap · offsides · audible · holding · false start · formation · penalty · screen pass
second, down, seconds, secondly, secondary, secondarily, seconded, seconding, downer