The passing pocket is a term used in American football to describe the area in the backfield that is created on a passing play where the offensive line forms a wall of protection around the quarterback to protect him. This allows him adequate time to find an open receiver and to pass the ball.
The offensive line will drop back slightly, creating a protected area for the quarterback to find an open receiver and get rid of the ball. If he is unable to find an open receiver he will attempt to gain yards by running the ball himself. This protected area vaguely resembles the shape of a pocket on an article of clothing.
The term is typically referred to as "The quarterback steps up into the pocket."
Even with a well-structured offensive line, the quarterback only has seconds to pass the ball within the passing pocket. Quarterbacks may scramble outside of the pocket, either to gain more time for the wide receivers, to avoid a sack, or to rush the ball.
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