Return yards

Return yards is a gridiron football statistical measure that takes several forms.

Progress can be made during play by the offensive team by advancing the ball from its point of progress at the start of play known as the line of scrimmage or by the defensive team after taking possession of the football via a change of possession (such as punt, kickoff, interception, punt block, blocked kick or fumble).

Return specialists are commonly monitored statistically for their totals and averages.

However, other types of return yardage such as interception return yards are also measured because the point on the field where a change in possession occurs is marked.

Kick return yards and punt return yards result from voluntary change in possession and most of the others result from involuntary forms of change in possession known as turnovers.