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checkdown

noun check·down \ ˈchek-ˌdau̇n \

Definition of checkdown

plural checkdowns
American football
: a short pass play to a running back or tight end that the quarterback chooses after reading the defensive coverage and seeing no play downfield
  • I just took what the defense gave me, hit my checkdowns, hit short stuff.
  • —Eli Manning,  quoted in Sporting News,  22 Dec. 2008
  • Running back Warrick Dunn might be the most underrated back in the league. Dunn … is a serious threat as a receiver. He's a dangerous checkdown target …
  • —Brad Biggs,  Chicago Sun-Times,  18 Dec. 2005

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Origin and Etymology of checkdown

from the verb phrase check down (to) “move to the next option (on the list of receivers)”

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