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In the NFL and most other American football rules a team gets four downs to either score with a touchdown, a field goal, or to make a first down, and start the count of downs again. Usually the fourth down is used to punt the ball away, rather than give the football up on the spot, if the previous three downs didn't result in some more favorable outcome.

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14y ago
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13y ago

There are four downs to advance the ball ten yards. They can keep the ball for an extra four plays if they continuously advance ten yards. When they don't advance ten yards the other team gets the ball.

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12y ago

You get 4 downs every time The ball switches teams.unless you get a first down

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13y ago

A football team gets four (4) downs to move the football ten (10) yards ... If a penalty is called on the play yards can be added or subtracted from the starting point of the ball ...

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14y ago

Four. If a first down is not reached by forth down, an offense with usually punt, or attempt a field goal.

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16y ago

Four downs are allowed to get 10 yards.

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13y ago

FOUR

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Q: How many downs are given to the offense in order to make a first down in football?
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