What does 1st and 10 mean in football?
What does 1st and 10 mean?
It’s crucial to understand that the football team in control of the ball (offense) gets four chances (downs) to gain 10 yards. If they are successful, they are given four additional chances to advance 10 yards. The football will be turned over to the opposing team if they fail to make it.
First and ten refers to the team’s first attempt (1 out of 4 downs) and the remaining 10 yards. This also indicates that they have advanced 0 yards.
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Strategies when getting 1st and 10
Running
On a 1st and ten, some quarterbacks might decide to pass the ball to the running back. The quarterback’s goal in this plan is to get as many of the ten yards required for a first down as he can. On first and ten, the offense may be able to run the ball the full 10 yards. It is in this situation that they perceive an open path. However, frequently, the objective is to only try to move closer to the first down line. The quarterback is aware that he still has plays to make up the difference.
Here is another reason the quarterback would choose to run on 1st and 10. They do not want to take the chance of tossing the ball right away. The defense might intercept it. A team can get close to the first down line by running on first and ten. This makes it simpler to complete a subsequent run or a quick pass to earn the following first down. However, if a team is out of time to advance down the field and score, they are less likely to run the ball on first down.
Passing
On 1st and 10, other quarterbacks might decide to pass to a receiver. These tactics are frequently audacious. But they could be based on the quarterback’s analysis of the defense. On first and ten, the quarterback may decide to call a passing play if they believe the defense may be leaving an opening for their receivers.
If the pass is made on first and ten, the offense could gain a significant amount of yardage and occasionally even score a touchdown. However, there is always a chance that a passing play can result in a turnover. Therefore, quarterbacks must be confident that they can complete a quality ball on first and ten.
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About first and goal
The goal line becomes the line to gain when an offense has a first down within 10 yards of the goal line. That’s because they cannot get another first down without scoring (barring a defensive penalty). In some situations, the yardage is changed to & goal, or 1st & goal. When it is possible to kick a short field goal instead of attempting to score a touchdown on fourth downs, this occurs frequently.
A team can score a touchdown using only a first and goal by kicking a field goal. The team will have to restart from the 20-yard line if the ball is put out of bounds before one of these things can occur. Otherwise, they will have to try a field goal from that point on.
A touchdown is worth six points, compared to three for a field goal. Because of this, if a team has room to move in front of the end zone on fourth down, they should try for a touchdown.
When kicking toward their own end zone, coaches occasionally call for safety if needed. Each coach is free to choose his or her own course of action.
How do teams get first and ten?
A team can get close to the first down line by running on 1st and 10. It makes it simpler to complete a subsequent run or a quick pass to earn the following first down. However, if a team is out of time to advance down the field and score, they are less likely to run the ball on first down.
Teams occasionally make penalties that extend the amount of ground they must traverse. For instance, instead of starting 10 yards from their target, the offense would have to start 15 yards away if a five-yard penalty was called prior to the first down. As a result, terms like “first and 15” may indicate how many yards a team must gain on its first down. Penalties may also benefit the offender. If the defense is penalized on the first down, the offense can face a “first and five” situation.
Totally, it is easy to understand that 1st and 10 mean there are 10 yards to go to get a first down. Instead of the referees and announcers saying 1st & 10 instead of first down and 10 yards to go.
Above is one of the American Football Terms, follow us to update more terms.
