Passing pocket

The passing pocket, usually referred to as the pocket, is a term used in American football to describe the area in the backfield created on a passing play where the offensive line forms a wall of protection around the quarterback. This allows him adequate time to find an open receiver and to pass the ball. The offensive line will drop back slightly, creating a U-shaped protected area for the quarterback to find an open receiver and pass the ball.

If the quarterback is unable to find an open receiver, he will attempt to run the ball himself, throw the ball out of bounds to prevent a sack and/or turnover, or if there is no lane, may collapse to the ground to protect the ball and try to avoid a fumble. Even with a well structured offensive line, the quarterback only has seconds to pass the ball within the pocket. Moving the pocket can help avoid a sack. When that fails, quarterbacks may scramble (run around behind the line of scrimmage), either to gain more time for the wide receivers, to avoid a sack, or to rush the ball. Quarterbacks are judged significantly on their ability to make decisions based on the status of the pocket before it is collapsed by the defensive line, a skill called pocket awareness.

Quarterbacks who primarily operate within the pocket are known as pocket passers and are generally known for their focus on arm power, accuracy, pocket presence and their lack of mobility outside of the pocket. Pocket passers have been a fixture of quarterback play during much of the game's history and are often contrasted with dual-threat quarterbacks, who are adept at both running and passing the ball. Notable quarterbacks who were generally known as pocket passers include Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Dan Marino, Kurt Warner, and Drew Bledsoe.