first down
In American football, the 'first down' is crucial for maintaining possession and advancing towards the opponent's end zone.
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Definition
B2American Football
(technical)The initial attempt out of four to advance the ball at least ten yards.
Example
- The team is now on their first down and needs to gain ten yards.
B2American Football
(technical)Successfully advancing the ball ten yards, resetting the count to four attempts.
Example
- They achieved a first down with that 12-yard pass.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "first down":
move the chainsadvance the ballball downtouch downend zonefirst basegoal linehome run