In a way, that’s part of the beauty of the all or nothing play. Laterals are when a team throws the ball backward in hopes that the defense gets tired and out of position.When backup quarterback Tanner Magnum hit receiver Mitch Mathews with a 42-yard prayer as time expired to give the BYU Cougars a 33-28 victory over the Nebraska Huskers back in week 2 of the 2015 college football season, we were reminded of how awesome a miraculous, game-winning play can be. If the head coach or offensive coordinator believes that their quarterback can’t reach the end zone, they may elect for laterals rather than a Hail Mary. Defensive players that try to catch the Hail Mary pass will often tip the ball in the air, which gives the offense a second chance to catch the tipped pass. The defense will often knock the football down to stop the ball from being caught by an offensive player. It’s doubtful that the offense will catch the football simply because there’s often a big scrum in the end zone fighting for position on the football. Quarterbacks must throw a high arching pass that gives their receivers a chance to run down the field, locate the football and successfully catch the football. Teams will often send their five best receivers down the field to wait for the football in the end zone. The last play of the game, or the half often called the Hail Mary, will count as a touchdown if caught. What Happens If The Offense Catches A Hail Mary? Teams will have different versions of the Hail Mary, but often it’s signaled in by the coach doing the “father, son, holy spirit” mannerism.Įvery team will have a Hail Mary play in their playbook, as teams will always prepare for the worst-case scenario. Hail Marys are rarely caught, so “throwing up a prayer” was created.
That’s why teams call it a Hail Mary, as they are throwing up a “prayer” in hopes of catching it. The reason it’s called a Hail Mary because teams will often pray when they throw the ball at the end of the game as time expires. Where Did Hail Mary Come From In Football?įor those unfamiliar, a Hail Mary is a religious prayer. This play is often thrown from a spread formation. Teams will only throw the last-second heave when there’s no other option. It’s not common to throw a Hail Mary pass outside of a desperation scenario. It’s often strategized based on the points the offense needs. If the team is down by nine or more points, there is no sense in throwing Hail Mary passes. Hail Mary’s are often called when a team is down by eight or fewer points and needs a touchdown. Why Do Teams Throw A Hail Mary Pass?Ĭoaches in football will often call a Hail Mary in a desperate attempt to score points. If the quarterback doesn’t let the receivers run downfield, the throw will often not be a successful touchdown as there will be no receivers to catch the ball. The quarterback must drop back and often scramble back and forth to buy some time, so their receivers can get to the end zone. Hail Mary passes are often not very accurate, and it’s common that the throw doesn’t reach the end zone or is thrown completely out of bounds. This play is a low percentage play that is often the last chance of the offense to score points. The quarterback will drop back as far as he can, then he will often throw the football as far as he possibly can. Here is a visual example of what a Hail Mary pass looks like in the NFL. The Hail Mary pass is a high arching pass by the quarterback, which he throws toward the end zone hoping that one of his five receivers will catch the ball over the defenders. The reason teams will throw a Hail Mary pass is to score a touchdown right before time expires. The play can often be seen at the end of the second quarter (right before halftime) or the end of the game. The Hail Mary pass in football is a rare play. This article will show you precisely what a Hail Mary pass is and its purpose in football. Hail Mary passes often thrown at the end of the second quarter or the end of the game as time expires. The Hail Mary play in football is thrown to the endzone by the offense in a desperate attempt to score points as time expires. Players, coaches, and fans often hold their breath as the ball soars through the air. The hail mary pass is one of the most exciting plays in football.