Why is the 'Hail Mary' play in American football so named? And are there any others with intriguing names? (We have some here too: one in rugby that's one puzzlingly called a Garryowen which consists of punting the ball has high as possible into the opponent's territory so that the attackers can rush forward whilst the ball is in the air and hit the poor bloke who is waiting to catch it at the very moment that he does.With any luck he'll spill it. That one is named after an Irish rugby club that first made the tactic popular. And in cricket there are several e.g the Bosie, a kind of disguised slow spinning delivery named after a Mr Bosanquet who first bemused batsmen with it long ago and the Yorker a fast delivery aimed at the batsman's toes, from Yorkshire County cricket club who first adopted this , then, rather ungentlemanly tactic).
+++++++++.
08-31-06, 06:48 AM
juanruiz
The Hail Mary usually happens when a team is behind very late in a game and has a long way to go to score. The quarterback drops back and throws it as far as he can down field, PRAYING one of his receivers will catch it. I believe the term was coined by colorman Tom Brookshire.

Others:

Statue of Liberty (rare nowdays): quarterback drops back to pass, cocks his arm, but a runningback circles behind him and takes the ball.

Blitz: defensive secondary madly rush the quarterback, outnumbering his offensive blockers, hoping to SACK (i.e., tackle) him before he can pass the ball.

Shotgun: QB stands in the backfied to take the snap from the center.

Draw: QB drops back as if to pass but hands off to a running back.

Reverse: QB hands off to running back running toward the side, who hands off to an end running the other way. (if he hands off too its called a double reverse).

Buttonhook: receiver heads downfield and abruptly stops and turns around for a pass.

These are just a few.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: DorianGreyed,