General
play action
What does play action mean?
A tactic where the quarterback fakes a handoff to freeze the defense before throwing a pass.
"Play action froze the linebackers and sprung the tight end wide open."
Origin
American football; combines the run 'action' fake with a pass.
Frequently asked questions
What is play action in football?
It's a passing tactic where the quarterback fakes a handoff to a running back to freeze the defense, then throws a pass to a now-open receiver.
Why is play action so effective?
The run fake pulls linebackers and safeties toward the line of scrimmage, opening up throwing lanes and receivers behind them.
Does play action work without a good running game?
Research suggests play action is effective even for teams that don't run well, though a credible run threat can make the fake more convincing.
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