screen pass

American  

noun

Football.

1. a pass thrown to a receiver who is directly in back of a wall of blockers and who is behind or not far beyond the line of scrimmage.

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Etymology

Origin of screen pass

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

On Friday, it began on the Ducks’ first play from scrimmage, when defensive back D’Angelo Ponds picked off a screen pass and ran it back for a touchdown.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 10, 2026

Mosley broke the game open with his 91-yard touchdown reception on a screen pass at the outset of the third quarter after Santa Margarita’s defense stuffed Centennnial on fourth-and-one play from the Eagles’ seven-yard line.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 29, 2025

Tight end Jack Endries made two critical catches on passes from Harris — one for 16 yards and another for 22 yards on a screen pass.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 19, 2024

Tyler Allgeier turned a screen pass into a 75-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

From Washington Times • Jan. 1, 2024

Red Flight spread out but stayed in position like a football team moving into formation for a screen pass.

From A Yankee Flier Over Berlin by Laune, Paul