How measurement works
The 10 yards needed for a first down can shrink.
10 yd, or less
The line to gain is normally 10 yards ahead of where a series starts. When the goal line is closer than that, the goal line becomes the line to gain.
Standard-defined
Why this is interesting
Ten yards is one of the most familiar distances in sport, but the rulebook does not treat it as fixed.
How this measurement works
The NFL rulebook defines the line to gain as the spot 10 yards in advance of the snap that starts a series — except when a goal line is less than 10 yards from that spot. In that case, the line to gain is the goal line itself.
So near the end zone, the distance a team needs can be less than 10 yards.
How certain is this?
Standard-defined — the rule sets 10 yards with a stated exception.
Quoted from the rulebook definition of the line to gain.
Sources & further reading
National Football League
Official Playing Rules of the National Football League(opens external site)
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