Possession of the ball in football means to be in control of or holding the football. Possession is an advantage for the team on offense, since it gives the offense the opportunity to manage the flow and direction of play and attempt to use time on the game clock to their advantage and keep the ball out of the hands of the opposing team. Possessing the ball also provides the team on offense the opportunity to score.
Possession Defined
According to FootballBabble.com, possession in football specifically means "possession of the ball." In layman's terms, this means the team on offense has control of the ball and attempts to keep the ball from the other team by successfully conducting offensive plays to move the ball downfield and hopefully scoring points.
Importance of Ball Possession
Having possession of the football is crucial because it in large part determines scoring opportunities. Possession of the ball also allows your team to remain on offense, as long as certain milestones are met -- in this case, either scoring points through a touchdown or field goal, or gaining sufficient yardage in forward progress to maintain control. In U.S. football, this means moving the ball at least 10 yards in four or fewer plays, or downs. Ten yards from the starting point, or "scrimmage line," is called a "first down" and rewards the offense with a series of four more downs to attempt further forward progress. Another key factor is that having possession of the ball keeps your team's defensive players rested and off the field, leaving them available and ready for later defensive play.
Routine Change of Possession
Change of possession normally occurs when the team on offense fails to score or fails to move the ball forward the requisite ten yards during their possession. If, after three downs, the offense has not reached the required distance from scrimmage, on fourth down the offense will typically punt, or kick the ball far downfield, so the opposing team will begin its possession of the ball as far from the goal as possible.
Other Ways Possession Can Change
The offense can also lose control of the ball, or turn it over, through several other scenarios. A player on offense can fumble the ball, which means he initially has control of the ball but then drops it or has it jarred loose by a player on the other team, which then gains control, or possession, of the ball. The offense may also turn over the ball through the quarterback throwing an interception, which means that the ball is caught by an opposing player when the quarterback is attempting to throw to one of his own team's player.
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