When you’re football team is down by four points, is there anything more exciting than a long drive to a touchdown? A good scoring drive involves planning, skills, and sometimes a certain amount of luck.
What is a drive in football?
The definition of a drive is the amount of time and series of plays the offensive team uses until the other team regains possession of the ball. Frequently it is used in relationship to scoring drives – those series of plays that result in a score. That can mean a field goal or a touchdown.
Key Takeaways
- Drives start during kickoffs, plays following turnovers (punt, turnover on downs, interception, fumble), and safety kicks.
- There is no limit on the number of plays or the amount of time a team has in a drive.
- Drives are concluded any time a team scores or anytime a team punts or turns the ball over.
- Long drives last more than ten plays, while short drives last with no more than five plays.
What happens in a drive?
The main goal during a drive for the offense is to score a touchdown. Drives are ended whenever the offensive team either scores or turns the ball over.
What happens if a drive ends in a touchdown?
If a drive ends with a touchdown, the team that just scored will have a chance to kick an extra point or try for a two-point conversion. After that attempt, regardless of whether or not they make or miss it, they will kick the ball off to the other team, starting a new drive for the other team.
See Meaning of Pass Interference.
What happens if a drive ends in a field goal?
If a drive ends in a field goal, there is no extra point or a two-point conversion attempt. The team that just scored will kick off to the other team, starting a new drive for the other team.
What happens if a drive ends in a turnover?
If a drive ends in a turnover, regardless of if it was a turnover on down, interception, punt, or fumble, the drive starts where the ball is recovered and as the officials blow the play dead. If the turnover involves the defensive team returning the play for a touchdown, the drive concludes with the touchdown.
The longest drive
While the shortest drive in history happens relatively often, when a team either scores or turns the ball over on the first play of a drive, the longest drive in history was in the 2004 Emerald Bowl between Navy and New Mexico. The drive lasted 26 plays while melting more than 14 minutes off the clock, and the Navy got just three points after settling for a 22-yard field goal.
See All About the XFL.
NFL’s longest drive in recent history
The Miami Dolphins went 94 yards on 21 plays in a drive that lasted more than 12 minutes in a game against the New York Jets in 2011. This drive included six plays inside the red zone before quarterback Matt Moore found Charles Clay for a one-yard touchdown reception. A drive in football can be memorable to fans.
How Football Announcers Talk About Drives
The Patriots marched down the field with a seven-play and 75-yard touchdown drive that lasted nearly six minutes.
The drive ended with the Chargers settling for a 36-yard field goal attempt to give them a 17-14 lead.
The Cardinals wasted their drive on the last possession.
The Dallas Cowboys are driving down the field with two minutes left in the game.
You’re on our Drive in Football page.
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