Possession (sports) opportunity to score. In bat-and-ball games including baseball and cricket, the ball is controlled by the fielding team, which are on defense. In several sports, possession is exchanged after the offensive team scores, or when the defensive team physically takes control of a "live" (in play) ball through a fumble, interception, or steal. In gridiron football, possession is additionally controlled through a series of allotted plays called downs, over which the offensive team must move the ball a certain distance down the field, or lose possession. Possession at the start of a game, or in a neutral restart, may be
Comparison of Canadian football and rugby union done for tactical reasons (both offensive and defensive) or to score a goal. If the ball is recovered by the kicking team, it can lead to significant improvement in field position. It is also legal in rugby to kick a goal at any point in the game. This is called a drop goal. In Canadian football, a team that kicks the ball during play automatically gives up possession and cannot recover the ball unless an error in catching the ball (known as a "fumble") is made by the receiving team; because of this, punting is typically done only when teams