Pass deflected
Incomplete pass that is caused by a defensive player
In gridiron football, a pass deflected, also known as a pass deflection, a pass defended, a pass defensed, a pass knockdown, or a pass breakup, is an incomplete pass that is caused by a defensive player. This is done by slapping or blocking the ball with a hand or part of the arm, knocking the ball to the ground. It can also be done by aggressively hitting the receiver at the exact moment he first makes contact with the ball, or shortly thereafter, jarring the ball loose. If the defender hits the receiver before the latter first makes contact with the ball, it is pass interference.
Sources and credits
This article is adapted from the Wikipedia article “Pass deflected”, written by its contributors and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Fathomly has changed the layout, removed citation markers, navigation and maintenance notices, and adjusted punctuation. This adapted version is shared under the same license. For references, see the original article.
Images, from Wikimedia Commons:
- US Navy 030920-N-9693M-002 Eastern Michigan University (EMU) defenders, Jerry Gaines, left, and Yves Dieudonne, right, block a pass intended for Navy slot back Eric Roberts.jpg by U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Damon J. Moritz., Public domain
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