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 • Oct. 17, 2025

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 • Sep. 21, 2025

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.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 24, 2023

He practiced firing off the line of scrimmage, batting down passes and defending the play-action pass.

From Washington Post • Nov. 2, 2022

But they’re using a tight end quite a bit … and they do a lot of different things to create some run game and some play-action pass game.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 16, 2022