When does a play start and stop?

When does a play start and stop?

Darrin Chiaverini (Football Coach and Professional Athlete) gives expert video advice on: What's a 'football'?; What is the object of a football game?; How many people are on a football team? and more...

It starts when a centre snaps the ball to the quarterback, and either if he passes it or he runs it until the player is down by contact and a referee blows the whistle.