play-action pass

American  

[pley-ak-shuhn] / ˈpleɪˌæk ʃən /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of play-action pass

An Americanism dating back to 1960–65

Example Sentences

And despite Arteta’s inability to ever draw up a play-action pass, the Rams credit him with helping to turn their 2024 season around.

From The Wall Street Journal

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.

From 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.”

From 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.

From 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.

From Washington Times