Yards lost

The term “yards lost” in American football describes how much an offensive play moves the team in front of them toward their own end zone. This usually happens when the quarterback is sacked before delivering the ball. The ball carrier is tackled behind the line of scrimmage or because of specific penalties. It can compel the offense to rely more on passing plays, making it harder for them to advance the ball. Penalties such as unsportsmanlike behavior, illegal substitution, and game delay can result in yards lost, which can be 5, 10, or 15 yards, depending on the infraction. This impedes the offensive team’s advancement and may affect their entire game plan.