Why does the team punt the ball?

Answer 1

because it is safer, because if you dont punt it and go for the first and dont make it the other team has a beeter chance in scoring then if you would have punt it

Football is a game of field position. If you try to make a first down on fourth down and fail, the other team will gain possession of the ball 40 yards or so closer to your end zone than they would if you had punted on fourth down. The situation of the game will dictate whether a team tries for a first down on fourth down. If it is late in the game and the team is behind, maybe they will try for a first down on fourth down. But almost always in other situations the team will punt on fourth down.

Answer 2

In a football game, the offense has 4 downs to move the ball 10 yards. If they fail to move the ball 10 yards after 3 downs, they may either try again on 4th down, punt, or kick a field goal. Field goals are usually executed on the opponents 40 yard or or less. Punts are done anywhere else on the field. A team usually goes for the 1st down on 4th down only if it is a close game and it is imperative to try, or if the necessary yardage is not a lot (1-2 yards). A punt is used because it is an easy way to move the ball 50+ yards down the field, making the opposing team farther away from scoring a touchdown. If the team tried for a 1st down and failed, then the opposing team would have much better field position than if they just punted. Plus there are so many opportunities on offense in a football game, that punting away and waiting for the next offensive series is not that bad and helps out your defense.