Learning Football Series (Part 2): What Are Downs in Football? The Secret to First Downs Explained

A Personal Story

When my wife first started learning football, she told me, “I get touchdowns, I get field goals, but what in the world is a first down?”

She’d sit on the couch next to me while I coached or watched a game, nodding along, but secretly had no idea why the announcers kept yelling “They need ten yards for a first down!”

Once she understood the secret of downs, the entire game suddenly made sense. She went from feeling left out to actually enjoying conversations with me and even explaining downs to her friends during game day.

That’s why I want to share this with you: understanding downs is the key that unlocks the whole game.

5 Common Problems That Stop People from Learning (and Easy Solutions)

1. “The rules feel too complicated.”

👉 Insight Step: Start simple—downs are just chances. A team has 4 chances (downs) to move the ball at least 10 yards. If they make it, they get a new set of 4 downs. That’s it.

Why Take This Step: It’s not about memorizing every rule, just the basic pattern: 4 chances → 10 yards → reset.

2. “I get lost when the announcers talk fast.”

👉 Insight Step: Watch with a “cheat sheet” (keep it on your phone or print one). Look for the yellow line on the TV screen—that’s the distance to the next first down.

Why Take This Step: Visual cues make the game easier to follow without needing to keep up with every word.

3. “I don’t want to ask and feel embarrassed.”

👉 Insight Step: Remember—so many people don’t know this stuff! Asking “How many downs do they have left?” is actually a smart question.

Why Take This Step: Once you ask a few times, it clicks—and suddenly you’re the one helping others.

4. “I zone out when I don’t understand.”

👉 Insight Step: Focus on just one team’s downs for the first quarter. Watch them move 10 yards and reset. Don’t worry about every play—just track the downs.

Why Take This Step: Narrowing your focus makes learning manageable and builds confidence.

5. “I think I’ll never really get it.”

👉 Insight Step: Use repetition. The more you watch, the more automatic it becomes. Downs are the heartbeat of the game—you’ll start to see the rhythm.

Why Take This Step: Everyone starts as a beginner. The difference is consistency.

A Loving Message to Squish

Squish,

What I hope you learn from this is that downs aren’t just about football—they’re about life.

You don’t have to get it right the first time.

You get four tries. Sometimes more.

Every step forward counts, and when you reach your “first down,” you get a whole new set of chances.

Never forget that.

All Our Love,

Mom and Dad

Mindful Final Thought

Football doesn’t have to be confusing or intimidating.

Downs are just chances, and once you understand them, the whole game feels different.

👉 Next time you’re watching, try tracking just the downs.

Don’t worry about the score or the penalties—just notice how the team uses their chances.

If you’re ready to keep learning, check out the full Learning Football Series on the blog.

Each piece builds on the last, so by the end of football season, you’ll be the one explaining the game to others.