The passing pocket, or the pocket, is a term used in American football to describe the area in the backfield created on a passing play where the offensive line forms a wall of protection around the quarterback. This allows him adequate time to find an open receiver and to pass the ball. The offensive line will drop back slightly, creating a U-shaped protected area for the quarterback to find an open receiver and pass the ball.
Tom Brady in the pocket.
A quarterback at practice, dropping back to pass.
Quarterback Roger Staubach of Navy tosses a pass against Maryland just as the pocket collapses.
The quarterback, colloquially known as the "signal caller", is a position in gridiron football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive platoon and mostly line up directly behind the offensive line. In modern American football, the quarterback is usually considered the leader of the offense, and is often responsible for calling the play in the huddle. The quarterback also touches the ball on almost every offensive play, and is almost always the offensive player that throws forward passes. When the QB is tackled behind the line of scrimmage, it is called a sack.
Seven-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Tom Brady attempting a forward pass in a 2009 game against the Washington Redskins.
Navy quarterback Craig Candeto pitches the ball while running an option-based offense
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (No. 12) breaks the Packers' offensive huddle
Pittsburgh Steelers backup quarterback Bruce Gradkowski acting as the ball holder for a kick