As any experienced football fan knows, the play-action pass is one of the most valuable weapons in an offensive team’s playbook. This simple tactic can be used to fool defenders and open up big holes in the defense for easy touchdowns. Though it may seem like a basic move, when used correctly it can be extremely effective. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at how you can use the play-action pass to help your team win games. So read on and learn everything you need to know about this powerful weapon!

What does play action mean in football

In football, the play-action pass is a passing play that is designed to fake a running play. The play-action pass is often used when the offense is trying to fool the defense into thinking a run is happening, when in reality a pass is being thrown. This can be an effective way to catch the defense off guard and make big plays happen.

The play-action pass is that it only works if the defense is expecting a run

The first thing to understand about the play-action pass is that it only works if the defense is expecting a run. This means that before you can execute this maneuver, you need to establish a running game. Once the defense starts to key in on your running backs, you can then use the play-action pass to take advantage of their over-pursuit.

Benefits of the play-action pass

  • One of the benefits of the play-action pass is that it allows the quarterback to get rid of the ball quickly. This can be helpful if the offensive line is not giving him enough time to find an open receiver.
  • Additionally, it can help to slow down the pass rush and give the quarterback more time to find an open receiver.
  • Another benefit of the play-action pass is that it can open up big plays down the field. This is because the defense will often bite on the fake and pursue the running back, leaving receivers wide open.
  • Lastly, the play-action pass can be a great way to change the tempo of the game. This can be helpful if the offense is struggling and needs a spark.

Drawbacks of the play-action pass

  • One of the drawbacks of the play-action pass is that it can be difficult to execute. This is because there are a lot of moving parts and everyone needs to be on the same page.
  • Additionally, it can be easy for the defense to sniff out a play-action pass if they are not respecting the running game.
  • Finally, the play-action pass can be dangerous if the quarterback does not have a good grasp of it. This is because there is a risk of turnovers if the ball is not thrown properly.

How to run a play-action pass

The first step is to establish a running game. This can be done by running the ball on early downs and setting up manageable third downs. Once the defense starts to respect the run, you can then use the play-action pass to take advantage of their over-pursuit.

To run the play-action pass, the quarterback will first fake a handoff to the running back. He will then drop back as if he is going to pass the ball. The key here is to sell the fake by making it look believable. The quarterback should make sure that he has a good grip on the ball and that his arm is in a passing position. Once the quarterback has dropped back, he will then look for an open receiver. The receivers should be running their routes as if it were a normal pass play.