play-action pass

noun

play-ac·​tion pass
: a pass play in football in which the quarterback fakes a handoff before passing the ball

called also play-action

Examples of play-action pass in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Detroit had the most play-action passes in football, according to Next Gen Stats. Kevin Fishbain, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025 Stefanski’s roots are in a wide-zone, tight end-heavy system that relies on play-action passes and a strong run game. Zac Jackson, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025 Without a run game to lean on and his play-action passes all covered, Rams quarterback Jared Goff fell apart. Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 16 Nov. 2024 On second down, Kyle Shanahan dialed up a great play-action pass to Deebo Samuel over the middle. Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 18 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for play-action pass

Word History

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of play-action pass was in 1963

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Cite this Entry

“Play-action pass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play-action%20pass. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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