play-action pass

[pley-ak-shuhn]

noun

Football.

1. a pass play designed to deceive the defense by appearing to be a running play, in which the quarterback fakes a hand-off to a back before throwing a forward pass.

Word History and Origins

Origin of play-action pass¹

An Americanism dating back to 1960–65

Example Sentences

On a play-action pass, Chargers running back Najee Harris crumpled to the turf before the fake handoff could fully develop, immediately grabbing his left ankle and tossing aside his helmet in pain.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Our vision is we get the run game going,” Roman said, “and the complementary play-action pass and the ability to throw the ball down the field when we can, or just check it down with numbing repetition underneath. That’s what we’re chasing.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“He’s why our pass game and our play-action pass and all that kind of stuff opened up because he sort of sets the standard with the run game and then when we do pass the ball, he’s there in our play,” quarterback Brock Purdy said.

Read more on Seattle Times

“He’s the reason why our pass game and our play-action pass and all that kind of stuff opened up because he sort of sets the standard with the run game and then when we do pass the ball, he’s there in our play,” Purdy said.

Read more on Washington Times

For the Tide, it has to be all about running the ball, hitting teams over the top with the play-action pass and protecting a defense that isn’t as star-studded as years past.

Read more on Los Angeles Times