NFL 4th down

Question
Hi there! I'm not familiar to pro football so there is my question.On a fourth down the offensive team punts,right? When can they continue to complete their yards? Thanks!

Answer
Iassou!

In the NFL, the team on offense is given four downs, four trys, to go ten yards or score.  If the offensive team gets 10 yards, they get a fresh set of downs.  If the team scores there is a change of posession by kick-off, if they fail to make ten yards or score on 4th down there is a change of possesion at the spot of the 4th down, called "turning over on downs."

To avoid "turning over on downs" many teams choose to punt on 4th down, but if you were within 30 or so yards you might decide to attempt to kick a three point field goal.  If you are close to making a 4th down, say "4th and 1" or "4th and inches" you might choose to "go for it" - to run a play and pick up the first down.

Also, if a team is trailing at the end of the game they would never punt the ball away - they need to use all four downs to try and score.

You punt the ball away on 4th to gain "field position" - as part of the back and forth of the game to force the other team to have to move most of the field to score on you when you can't pick up a first down.

Does that answer your question?

  -Vassilli