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

See Examples For:

screen pass

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

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