Editing Play from scrimmage (section)

==The play==
The play will begin with the [[Snap (gridiron football)|snap]] of the ball (typically but not exclusively to the [[quarterback]]), and it will end when the effort by the offensive squad to advance the ball has either succeeded in scoring, or has been frustrated by the ball being [[football down|downed]] before the aim of the offensive play is accomplished, or by the defensive squad having managed to come into possession of the ball without first downing it.  In the event of change of possession during a play, the team newly in possession of the ball may try to advance it toward their opponent's goal, which the team formerly in possession will naturally resist.  Change of possession during a routine play may occur by [[interception]] or by [[fumble]] (often collectively referred to as ''turnovers'').

Change of possession may also occur in other ways.  A change of possession can occur "on downs", if the offensive team fails to achieve a [[first down]] or a [[touchdown]] in a specified number of consecutive attempts, known as "[[Down (gridiron football)|downs]]" (four in American football; three in Canadian football).  Another way is through a change of possession play, when the offensive team (having perhaps surmised the unlikelihood of scoring or of achieving a [[first down]] within the allowed consecutive attempts to do so) kicks the ball away in what is known as a [[Punt (gridiron football)|punt]]. A touchdown (and subsequent conversion attempt, whether successful or not) or successful field goal attempt will be followed by a kickoff. [[Kickoff (American football)|Kickoff]]s and [[field goal (football)|field goal attempt]]s are not considered true change of possession plays. An unsuccessful field goal attempt will usually also result in a change of possession (without a kickoff), but is usually not counted as a turnover.