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

Early in the second quarter, he caught a screen pass, did a tightrope run down the Los Angeles sideline and dived into the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 21, 2025

On that fourth-down play, McCarthy tossed a screen pass to a wide-open Blake Corum, and the stocky running back ran 27 yards that was enough for a first down despite a blocking-in-the-back penalty.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 1, 2024

Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy could be seen yelling at Howell on the sideline after the QB’s pick-6 that looked like a screen pass right to Van Ginkel.

From Washington Times • Dec. 3, 2023

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