What is a first down in football?

Answer by  aarond23 (30)

The first down in football is the first play of an offensive series during a possession. Each series contains four downs.

Answer by  Robinsbooks (164)

A first down is a play that earns a football team a fresh set of downs, or snaps. You can get a first down by advancing the ball 10 yards in the course of four plays. You also can get a first down automatically if your opponent commits a penalty like pass interference.

Answer by  Phil97 (569)

In football, the team who possesses the ball, receives four downs in order to move the ball 10 yards. These downs are called first, second, third, and fourth. When a team moves the ball 10 yards, they earn a first down, which means they have another set of the above downs to move the ball 10 more yards.

Answer by  Brett (7986)

A first down is when the offence gets the required amount of yards needed in order to attain a first down, to get a new set of downs. A team has four opportunities to get the required ten yards.

Answer by  MS (27)

A first down in football is when the team on offense covers 10 yards on the field in less than 4 downs.