third-and-long
third-and-long
UK[ˌθɜːd ən ˈlɒŋ]US[ˌθɜrd ən ˈlɔːŋ]
n
In American football, a specific down and distance situation where the offensive team faces a third down with a large number of yards remaining to gain a first down, typically considered a difficult passing situation.
Morpheme Breakdown
third
and
long
third
and
long
Etymology
The term is a modern American football compound, formed by directly combining three common English words to describe a specific game scenario. The numeral "third" refers to the down number in the series of four attempts. The conjunction "and" grammatically links the down to the required distance. The adjective "long" indicates that the yardage needed for a first down is substantial, typically more than seven or eight yards. This literal combination creates a precise, jargonistic term that immediately conveys a high-pressure, disadvantageous situation for the offense, favoring the defensive strategy.
Analysis
Structure: third + and + long
- third: From Old English þridda, from Proto-Germanic þridjô, from Proto-Indo-European tritiyos. A numeral indicating position in a sequence.
- and: From Old English and, ond, a conjunction used to connect words or clauses.
- long: From Old English lang, long, from Proto-Germanic langaz, meaning having great linear extent.
Examples
The quarterback called an audible at the line of scrimmage, recognizing the defense's blitz package on third-and-long.
Converting a third-and-long is one of the most challenging tasks for any offensive unit.
A successful screen pass turned a potential third-and-long into a first down.