What is the Pocket in Football?

what is the pocket in football

Last updated on October 27th, 2023 at 05:20 pm

“The pocket” is a u-shape area behind the offensive line of scrimmage that temporarily protects the quarterback on passing plays during football games. This u-shape space is a made-up area where the offensive line keeps defenders away from getting to the passer for a bit. 

 

Why is the Pocket Important in Football?

why is the pocket important in american football

The pocket is the offensive lineman’s protective bubble for the QB to throw the ball before a defender gets there. Having a good pocket presence means the QB can focus on their receivers while sensing where the defenders are. Having a lousy pocket presence means a QB is looking around at the defenders and not seeing open receivers down the field.

 

What Does Stepping up in the Pocket Mean?

what does stepping up in the pocket mean

Stepping up in the pocket is a common phrase you hear analysts say of a QB who stays in the pocket. For instance, Drew Brees is not a fast QB but has a great eye to find an open receiver downfield. Drew Brees can wait in the pocket and quickly release the football to a wide receiver right before a defender gets to him to disrupt the play.

 

How Long Does an NFL QB Have in the Pocket?

how long does an nfl qb have in the pocket

Some of the best QB’s in the game get the ball from a hike and release it to a tight end or wide receiver in under three seconds. According to Bleacher Report, Tom Brady takes 2.6 seconds to throw on average to one of his teammates. By releasing the ball under 3 seconds, Tom Brady avoids sacks while making intelligent and accurate throws to his teammates to move the offense down the field.

 

Do Coaches Care about this Area?

do coaches care about this area

Football coaches break down videotapes of quarterbacks in College Football and the NFL to look for flaws. One common flaw is if a QB moves too much within the pocket, which means their feet aren’t set when they throw. By not having your feet set in the direction of the throw, they might not make an accurate pass, which could lead to interceptions.

 

Why Do Some QB’s Move out of the Pocket?

why do some qbs move out of the pocket

Michael Vick was an elite quarterback and pass-rusher in 2006 for the Atlanta Falcons. What made him so dangerous was that he could leave the pocket and draw defenders toward him because they were unsure if he would run or pass. By having the defense commit one way or another, Michael Vick could capitalize on passing or running with the ball. He averaged 6.4 yards per pass and 8.5 yards per run during that year.

 

When Can the QB Throw the Ball Away?

A QB can throw the ball out of bounds when they are outside the pocket area. That means a QB getting away from a defensive end on a blitz can throw the ball out of bounds. However, a QB can’t throw the ball out of bounds when they are in the imaginary pocket.

 

For example, a QB can’t get the ball and immediately throw it out of bounds during a blitz play while being in the pocket. The same goes for immediately throwing the ball deep down the field where nobody is, so they don’t throw an interception. If a QB does either of those things, it is intentional grounding.

 

What is the Penalty for Intentional Grounding in American Football?

what is the penalty for intentional grounding

The penalty for intentional grounding is a loss of downs and having the ball move back 10 yards from the previous line of scrimmage. With that penalty being the case, some QB’s elect to take the sack and hold the ball tight so they don’t fumble it. Where QB’s get in trouble is when they run backward on a blitz and get sacked for more than ten yards.

 

If a passer performs intentional grounding with less than ten yards to their own end zone, the play results in a safety. A safety occurs because the offense moves back ten yards, which would mean that they would start their next drive in their touchdown area, so the safety call occurs. Getting a safety is two points for the defending team, and the defense gets the ball back to start a fresh set of downs.

 

Conclusion: What is the Pocket in Football?

In summary, the pocket is an imaginary area of the field that sits behind the offensive line of scrimmage. The protected area is about five yards deep and seven yards wide. The pocket is crucial because it is this protective bubble that the offensive line creates for the QB. Getting those few seconds can allow them to make a successful pass to a teammate.

 

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