Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun An offensive play in which the ball is handed off or lateraled, sometimes more than once, behind the line of scrimmage, and then thrown as a long pass down field.
  • noun An offensive play in which a pass is thrown to a receiver who then laterals the ball to a teammate.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Tightly-contested games receive high marks, but the system also takes strange and rare occurrences into account, such as a flea-flicker or a fake punt.

    There's No Trophy for Being Exciting Jared Diamond 2011

  • In Super Bowl XXI against the Denver Broncos, McConkey caught a 44-yard flea-flicker that set up a touchdown.

    The Pan Has Flashed Before Kevin Clark 2012

  • Thomas responded in the second quarter with the top play of the day, a 64-yard touchdown pass to D.J. Davis on a flea-flicker that cut the Green team's deficit to 17-14.

    Quarterback competition highlights Oregon spring game 2010

  • Saints 14 49ers 20, 5:42 3rd quarter Three and out for the 49ers, a failed flea-flicker derailing the drive, as Smith pitches the ball back to Gore before the running back attempts to return the ball to him with a short backwards pass which, had it succeeded, would have allowed the quarterback to take a shot downfield with the defence out of position.

    New Orleans Saints 32 San Francisco 49ers 36 - as it happened | Paolo Bandini 2012

  • Arizona's Pro Bowl receiver proved why some, including mentor Cris Carter, rate his as the best hands in the NFL with an amazing 42-yard TD catch off a flea-flicker to open the scoring in the victory against Atlanta.

    NFL Replay: Staying or going, Dungy's historic place is secure 2009

  • Like a reverse or flea-flicker, something to keep your opponent on their toes. phantommenace

    EXTRALIFE – By Scott Johnson - Can you even do this in baseball? 2008

  • Ryan's first pass of the playoffs was intercepted by Ralph Brown, leading to Warner's 42-yard TD to Fitzgerald on a flea-flicker.

    USATODAY.com 2008

  • (AP) - Kevin Riley threw a 53-yard touchdown pass to Nyan Boateng on a flea-flicker in the fourth quarter, and Mike Mohamed returned an interception 19 yards for a score 19 seconds later in California 's 41-20 victory over UCLA on Saturday.

    USATODAY.com 2008

  • But after a trick play in the first minute of the second quarter, called a flea-flicker, resulted in his being sacked by three Giants, including all-pro linebacker Lawrence Taylor, Theismann was left sprawled on the bermuda grass of RFK, his lower leg pinned under his body.

    Strasburg, Theismann and D.C. sports injuries 2010

  • Lorenzen tied it 10-all late in third quarter with a 43-yard TD pass to Ellis Gaulden on a flea-flicker play.

    USATODAY.com 2008

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