Once the offense gets a new set of downs between the 10 yard line on both sides of the field, they must travel 10 yards to get a new set of downs. If it is inside the 10, they cannot get a new set of downs except for a penalty situation or a multiple possession change.
Of course, once the ball is whistled "ready for play" by the referee, the outcome of the play and any possible penalties can change the amount of distance until they get a first down, but when the first down is decided until the ready for play whistle, it is 10 yards.
4
There are 100 yards in football and 4 downs.
The team that takes possession of the ball (the offense) has four attempts, called downs, to advance the ball 10 yards towards their opponent's (the defense's) end zone. When the offense gains 10 yards, it gets a first down, or another set of four downs to gain 10 yards. If the offense fails to gain a first down (10 yards) after 4 downs, it loses possession of the ball. Click on the web link at the bottom of the page for more information.
Teams get four downs to move the ball 10 yards. If they gain the 10 yards, they get a new set of four downs. This can continue indefinitely until either the team scores, time runs out in the half or the game, or the team gives up or loses possession of the ball. In Canadian football, teams get three downs to move the ball 10 yards.
10
The Cowboys offense had 322 first downs during the 1994 season.
The offensive team is allowed four downs, or plays, to advance the ball 10 yards. If they can advance the ball 10 yards in four plays, they get another four plays to move the ball 10 yards further downfield. This continues until the offense advances the ball into the end zone for a touchdown or they are unable to get the required 10 yards on four plays. In Canadian football, the same circumstances exist, except that a team gets only three downs to advance the ball 10 yards.
565 yards! 4 Touch Downs.
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.
5 Yards
10
American Football - NFL and collegiate A team has 4 downs to go 10 yards, and earn a new set of downs. Otherwise the ball control goes to the opposing team. Downs may be replayed if a penalty is ruled and accepted.