play-action pass

noun play-ac·tion pass

|Updated on: 1 Jul 2018

Definition of play-action pass

: a pass play in football in which the quarterback fakes a handoff before passing the ball — called also play-action

See play-action pass defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of play-action pass from the Web

On the Eagles’ second drive of the second half, Foles threw on seven of 12 plays, a mix of play-action passes and those run-pass options, which are predicated on sucking in linebackers who then vacate a passing lane for the quarterback.

— jenny vrentas, SI.com, "The Eagles‘ ‘Underdog’ Win Was All About Doug Pederson’s Game Plan and Play-Calling," 14 Jan. 2018
No matter who wins the job, Michigan won’t succeed on offense unless the blocking gets better and the Wolverines can establish a run game that allows their play-action pass game to flourish.

— andy staples, SI.com, "Handicapping the Five Most Fascinating Quarterback Battles as Spring Practice Wraps," 16 Apr. 2018
But the Jaguars got off to a quick start, attacking New England’s five-man front with an array of play-action passes and bootlegs.

— dave birkett, Detroit Free Press, "Lions' union with Patricia on hold as Patriots advance to Super Bowl," 21 Jan. 2018
Washington also was one of two teams to average a first down on such action, with 10.1 yards per play-action play and 10.5 yards per play-action pass.

— jonas shaffer, baltimoresun.com, "As Robert Griffin III evolves at QB, Ravens will have to figure out what still works for him," 12 Apr. 2018
On third-and-1 from the Pats’ 40, Foles throws a play-action pass to Clement for 14 yards to the 26.

— carlos monarrez, Detroit Free Press, "Super Bowl LII: Philadelphia Eagles beat New England Patriots, 41-33," 4 Feb. 2018
The Eagles have built off the success of their RPO’s by blurring the lines between them and standard play-action passes.

— steven ruiz, For The Win, "Why Bill Belichick may need Nick Saban's help to stop the Eagles," 30 Jan. 2018
According to Pro Football Focus, Flacco is one of a handful of quarterbacks who have been more successful when throwing on non-play-action passes over the past three years.

— jonas shaffer, baltimoresun.com, "As Robert Griffin III evolves at QB, Ravens will have to figure out what still works for him," 12 Apr. 2018
Oakland is shaping up to be the opposite of that: a passing game built on the long-developing play-action passes.

— steven ruiz, For The Win, "Jon Gruden is building the perfect offense ... for 2008," 21 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'play-action pass.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.