In Gridiron football, a dead ball is a condition that occurs between football plays, after the player with the ball has run out of bounds or after the ball is downed either by the possessing player being tackled to the ground or an incomplete pass hitting the ground, and before the ball is snapped to begin the next play. During the time in which a ball is dead, a team may not attempt to advance it and no change of possession can take place. The clock may or may not be stopped during this time, depending on the circumstances.