I was excited to see that I am getting questions already! I will open up the mailbag as often as you want to ask, so keep them coming.

The first question is from Mary, who asks:

How do you figure out when there is a 1st down? And are there rules about when should you kick for a field goal?

Let’s start with the definition of a "down" before we discuss 1st downs. A down, which is also called a play, is the attempt to move the ball at least 10 yards down the field. Each team has an offense and a defense, and the offense is the one trying to score. The offense gets four tries -- the four downs -- to move the ball forward those ten yards. The team on offense then repeats this process over and over until it crosses the goal line and scores. Or, if they fail to get the required ten yards after four tries, they have to give up the ball to the other team. Then that team's offense takes the field and they try the whole process going the other way down the field.

A down starts when the ball is snapped and lasts until a referee signals that the play is over by blowing a whistle. A first down is simply a team's first try to make it 10 yards down the field. If they don't make it 10 yards or more on that first try, then they get a second down, then a third down and then a fourth down.

Each time the offense moves the ball forward by the required ten yards, they get to reset and get four more downs. The offense must continue to earn first downs all the way down the field until they score. If they fail to move the ball or score, they must give up possession of the football to the other team.

The answer to field goals is after the jump...