A passing play where the quarterback moves laterally behind the line of scrimmage, usually toward one sideline, while looking for receivers downfield. This creates different passing angles and escape routes.
From 'roll out' meaning to move in a rolling motion, first used in football contexts in the 1950s. The term describes the quarterback's lateral movement pattern along the line of scrimmage.
Rollouts showcase how geometry affects football strategy, as moving the quarterback changes every angle and timing on the field. Mobile quarterbacks like Steve Young built Hall of Fame careers by mastering rollouts, turning potential sacks into big gains.
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