Play-action pass

Offensive action during a play-action pass

• The quarterback takes the snap and drops back to hand off to the running back.
• The running back gets ready to take the hand off.
• The quarterback quickly pulls the ball back from the hand off position, trying to hide it from the defense. He then looks downfield for an open receiver.
• The running back continues to move up field as if he has the ball in his hands.
• The offensive line comes off the ball to run block, but then goes into pass protection.
• The receivers "sell" the running play by appearing to block at first, then break off into their pass routes.