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39
NFL RULES
First Down
Every play in football is measured in yards, gained or lost. The offense wants to gain as many
yards as possible on each play, while the defense wants to prevent the offense from doing so.
Each time the offense has the ball, they are given four downs, or tries, to gain 10 yards. Upon
doing so, they are awarded a fi rst down and another set of four downs. If the offense fails to
get 10 yards in four downs, they lose possession of the ball.