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

Walker’s success on the ground has opened up the play-action pass, with Kansas City setting the league’s pace with 312 play-action passing yards. — Pete Sweeney october 1, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026

That opened the door for Simmons to dial up a max-protect play-action pass. — Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2026

The Falcons drew up quick passing plays for Penix to get going, and once the Packers had to respect Robinson’s running ability, play-action passes were Penix’s bread and butter. — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Fecht wasted little time getting the aerial game going, using a play-action pass to Riley and finding Bell over the top for the easy TD to set the tone. — Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for play-action pass

• bermudagrass
• ecclesiastes
• alas
• amass
• bromegrass
• bypass
• crabgrass
• crevasse
• eelgrass
• eyeglass
• groundmass
• harass