In gridiron football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before throwing a forward pass, when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and without clear intent, or when a passer runs out of bounds behind the line of scrimmage due to defensive pressure. This often occurs if the opposing team's defensive line, linebackers or defensive backs are able to apply pass pressure to quickly get past blocking players of the offensive team, or if the quarterback is unable to find a back to hand the ball off to or an available eligible receiver to catch the ball, allowing the defense a longer opportunity to tackle the quarterback.
Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers being sacked by Seattle defensive end Patrick Kerney in 2009.
BYU quarterback Riley Nelson being sacked by Air Force.
A quarterback under pressure.
Image: Washington Football Team vs. Detroit Lions at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan, November 15, 2020
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