NFL Change of Possession Rules

Scenarios

• A change of possession in the NFL can happen in a number of ways by rule. If an offensive team fails to get a first down after trying to do so four times then the ball goes over to the defensive side. In most cases after three downs the offense that has failed to pick up a first down will then punt the ball to the defensive side, thus changing possession. If the offense scores a touchdown or a field goal they then kick the football off to the other team, changing possession. The clock is stopped after all changes of possession once a play is ruled dead.

Fumbles

• There are other ways in which a change of possession is possible by the rules of the NFL. If any player fumbles the football and it is recovered by the other team then there is a change of possession. In most cases the defense recovers, the clock is stopped, and the recovering team's offense comes onto the field. However in a scenario in which an offensive player fumbles and the ball is clearly recovered by the defense, if that defensive player that recovers the ball attempts to advance it and then fumbles it back to the offensive team, the offensive side is rewarded with a new set of downs from the point where the man that recovered the latest fumble was tackled. A change of possession occurred after the first fumble and then again after the second fumble, giving the offense the fresh set of downs.

Interceptions

• When a defensive player intercepts a pass by the offensive team and clearly has possession of the football by rule then a change of possession occurs. If they are tackled or run out of bounds then the defensive side is awarded possession of the ball at that spot, the clock stops, and their offense then has four downs to advance the ball. In cases where the intercepting player has clear possession and then fumbles the ball back to the offense the same rules apply as they do when a defensive player recovers a fumble and then fumbles it back to the offense. The offense is awarded a fresh set of downs at the point where the recovering player was tackled.

Field Goals

• When the offensive team attempts a field goal and is unsuccessful then there is a change of possession no matter which down the field goal was tried on. For example, if the offense tries a field goal on third down and the kick is ruled no good they do not get another try on fourth down. The ball changes possession and the defensive team takes control of it. Where the ball is spotted after such a change of possession is dependent on where the kick was from. If the kick was from inside the defense's 20-yard line then the ball is spotted back at the 20. If the kick is no good from outside the 20 then the ball is spotted after the change of possession at the line of scrimmage from which the kick was attempted.

Penalties

• If a penalty is committed during a change of possession then NFL rules decide which side gets to keep the football. If the penalty is committed by the defensive team before the change of possession then the offense keeps the ball. If one is committed by the defense after the change of possession then the defensive team is allowed to keep the ball. When the offense commits a foul during a change of possession the defense keeps the ball no matter when it occurred. A double penalty during a change of possession is a trickier situation. When this occurs the team last gaining the possession of the football is allowed to keep it unless they committed their foul before the ball changed possession. Double fouls after a change of possession mean the defensive team keeps the ball.