A bomb in football is baseball’s version of swinging for the fences. If the passing play is completed, it yields high rewards, but it can also be a high-risk play.
What is a bomb in football?
A bomb in football is when the quarterback attempts to throw the ball long to find a receiver for a huge gain of yardage on one play. This play requires a quarterback to launch the ball across a long distance and a receiver that can receive it.
Key Takeaways:
- Bombs are high-risk plays that can end with a touchdown or a turnover.
- This type of passing play is only attempted when the game calls for it. A team with the lead late in a game isn’t likely to try a bomb.
- Bombs do have some good benefits when they are well-executed, such as a touchdown or a huge yardage gain.
- Bombs can come in different forms, but the most famous form is the play known as the ‘Hail Mary.’
When are bombs thrown?
Bombs can be thrown in a number of different scenarios. They are commonly thrown when a team is down by more than three points in the final seconds of the game and in other situations when the game calls for it. If a team has a lead late in the game, they won’t throw a bomb because it could end in a turnover or the clock stopping.
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What are the benefits of a bomb?
The most significant benefit of a bomb is the ‘home run’ factor. It’s all or nothing. If the receiver catches the bomb, then that is a lot of yards gained with just one play and possibly even a touchdown. Sometimes throwing a bomb is the only option, in which case the play can put pressure on the defense.
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What are the disadvantages of a bomb?
The disadvantage of a bomb is that it is a risky play, and the success rate is minimal. Bombs are commonly intercepted. If the bomb falls incomplete, then that is a lot of energy wasted on a play that didn’t work. Due to the risk, teams save these plays until when they are absolutely needed.
Examples of bombs
Hail Mary – The Hail Mary play is the most famous type of bomb. This play is introduced when teams are around the midfield and trying to score in the final few seconds of either half. The quarterback will line up in the shotgun, and the offense will send their best receivers to the end zone to catch a pass.
Normal Plays– Teams will often disguise a bomb through normal passing plays. It is usually an isolated receiver who they feel has the advantage over the defensive back coving him. Again, this isn’t a very high-success play; it often turns into a touchdown when executed.
Free Plays– Another way that teams can attempt a bomb is through free plays. Free plays are when the defense commits a penalty after the play has started. Once the offense notices this, they usually try to get a significant gain through bombs with improvised routes.
Overtime
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