What Is a Reception In Football?

In American football, a reception is part of a passing play. Informally, it is better known as a catch. In a passing play, the player receives a forward pass that the quarterback has thrown from behind the line of scrimmage. After receiving it, the player carries the football, running towards the opposing end zone.

Running toward the opposing end zone can end in two ways – the player will successfully reach the end zone and score a touchdown or be forced out of bounds by the opposing players.

If no one catches a forward pass, it’s an incomplete pass or an “incompletion.” If an opposing player catches the pass, it is called an interception.

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