Second down is a term used in American football to indicate the second of four opportunities for a team to advance 10 yards towards a touchdown. Different synonyms can be used to describe this phase of the game. Some commonly used alternatives include "middle of the drive," "second and nine," and "the second attempt." Another popular term used is "second quarter" because the game is divided into four quarters. Other synonyms include "second stanza," "second inning," and "second period." These synonyms help to prevent repetition in commentary, allowing sportscasters to keep commentary diverse and engaging.