check down
Quick safe throw
Check down is a football term for when a quarterback, finding primary receivers covered, throws a short pass to a secondary option—usually a running back or tight end near the line of scrimmage.
It's a safe, conservative play that sacrifices potential yardage for a higher chance of completion: He checked down to the running back for a five-yard gain.
The term extends to any fallback to a safer option when the preferred choice isn't available.
- checkdownShort pass to safety valve
- safety valveAutomatic pressure-limiting device
- short passBrief nearby throw
- running backLocomoting to prior location
- flatLacking vertical variation
screen · quarterback · pressure · blitz · outlet · scramble · pocket · offensive line · release · completion · underneath · hot route · swing pass · tight end · receiver · coverage · sack · protection
check downbomb
Explosive device or disaster
deep ball · long ball · Hail Mary · post route · heave
check downtake a shot
Make an attempt
thread the needle · hero ball · go for broke · jump ball · gamble
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