Question about a Play

[The Minx]

While half-heartedly listening to the commentators for a college game while eating dinner, one of them referred to a play by offense as a "haymaker." I had heard this term used in boxing before, but not football.

I didn't find anything on a search engine about it. One of the restaurant managers tried to explain it to me, but I'm not sure if I understand it correctly. The manager said a haymaker is a trick offensive play in which the quarterback looks like he's going to make a short pass, but upon seeing the defense in a certain formation, goes for a long pass, and for reasons of which I'm still not sure, this play is usually used in the second or third quarters.

Is anyone here familiar with the haymaker play that could explain it to me further? Also, is this the appropriate forum to post questions about how the game is played? If not, which is the correct forum? I've only been watching football for two years and still have a lot to learn. Thanks so much!

Joyfully,
The Minx

[orangecrushtime]

You sure it wasn't being used as an expression?

[The Minx]

No, I'm not sure. The restaurant manager talked like it was a regular play used. I asked him if it was the same thing as a Hail Mary, but he said it wasn't, because a Hail Mary is a do-or-die type play in which the team has to score in order to win the game.

[Peanut]

While half-heartedly listening to the commentators for a college game while eating dinner, one of them referred to a play by offense as a "haymaker." I had heard this term used in boxing before, but not football.

I didn't find anything on a search engine about it. One of the restaurant managers tried to explain it to me, but I'm not sure if I understand it correctly. The manager said a haymaker is a trick offensive play in which the quarterback looks like he's going to make a short pass, but upon seeing the defense in a certain formation, goes for a long pass, and for reasons of which I'm still not sure, this play is usually used in the second or third quarters.

Is anyone here familiar with the haymaker play that could explain it to me further? Also, is this the appropriate forum to post questions about how the game is played? If not, which is the correct forum? I've only been watching football for two years and still have a lot to learn. Thanks so much!

Joyfully,
The Minx

I moved it here since you were listening to a college game.

If it's a general question about the NFL, it should go in the NFL and Other Teams forum. If it's a question about the Broncos, it goes in Broncos Football forum.

You might not get too many responses right now since there is a game on.

[The Minx]

Okay, Peanut. Much thanks!

[The Minx]

Oh, also, I remember the guy at the restaurant said it was similar to a bomb.

[DenverBlood]

I'm pretty positive it was just an expression. I think that restaraunt manager was making stuff up to sound like he knew what he was talking about.

There may be a couple of teams that call a play a haymaker. But it's definitely not a common play that all teams use like a hail mary. Also don't see why he told you it's most commonly used in the second and third quarter. That's just laughable.

I think announcers just call it going for a haymaker when it's a big play that could result in blowing a game open.

[The Minx]

I hope he wasn't making it up, but since no one else has heard of it, perhaps he was.

I've encountered that a lot lately, and not just in regards to football. If someone doesn't know the answer to something, they just make something up instead of saying, "I don't know." It's aggravating and not helpful in the least.

Thanks, Everyone, for taking the time to try to answer my question.