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 already had placed the Eagles up by 28 — catching a screen pass, making a defender miss with a step-back juke and turning on the burners for a 40-yard touchdown.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 22, 2025

Colson has been gradually integrating into the defense, but he’s already making an impact, disrupting a screen pass and demonstrating his ability to cover the field.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 14, 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