Turning Over the Turn Over

Perhaps the worst thing that can happen to an offense in football is to turn the ball over.  What is a turnover?  Typically a turnover is defined as: “The involuntary loss of possession of the ball during a play, either by a fumble or by throwing an interception. “1  This sums up the conventional definition of a turnover very succinctly.  But what if we redefined what a turnover was?  Would this affect how coaches plan for and play call during a game?  I say it would.

http://tinyurl.com/zxo9vt6

It appears that our working definition is sufficient and all encompassing.  Most coaches and players would agree with this definition.  So what’s the issue?  Let’s review what a turnover is:

• “involuntary loss of possession”-  this means the defense did something to take the ball from the offense against it’s will.
• fumble-  a fumble occurs when an offensive player loses possession of the football either as the the result of having it stripped by the defense or just plain carelessness by the ball carrier.
• interception-  an interception happens when a defensive player catches a pass thrown by the Quarterback.

Now let’s look at a new definition of turnover:  “So let’s redefine a turnover as ANY TIME a drive ends by giving the ball to the other team without scoring.”2

• Fumble
• Interception
• Punt-  I know what you’re thinking, a punt is not a turnover and based on the traditional definition you are right.  But we are no longer using the traditional definition, and based on our new definition a punt is a turnover.
• Turnover on downs-  This occurs when the offense attempts to get a first down by going for it on fourth down.  This is not considered a turnover statistically but it fits our new definition
• Kickoff-  Kickoffs take place after a team has scored.  Now you may be saying this is not a turnover because the scoring team has to kickoff and you’d be partially correct.  They do have to kickoff to their opponent after a score, but they don’t have to surrender possession of the ball.  A deep kick is essentially “giving the ball to the other team without scoring.”2  
• Blocked/Missed Field Goal Attempt-  In both cases the offense gives the ball to the defense without scoring.

Based on our new definition what constitutes as turnover is now a much more comprehensive and compelling list.  I know this may be hard for manyto accept, but when  one broadens the definition of a turnover it is pretty revealing.

http://tinyurl.com/j4l8tme

Well, we’ve redefined the turnover so now to address the “Would this affect how coaches plan for and play call during a game” question.  I contend that it would, because if the point of the game is to score more points than your opponent then our new definition has a real impact on accomplishing your goal.  In my opinion, when you look at a turnover with this new, broad definition it leads me to steer away from punting, kicking field goals, and kicking deep.

References

1. Turnover. (n.d.). Retrieved February 07, 2016, from http://www.sportsdictionary.org/turnover
2. Football Outsiders. (n.d.). Retrieved February 07, 2016, from http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stat-analysis/2006/never-punting