football move

Some ridiculous Maddenism that became a main stream rule. Deems a verified catch or not which has no grounds to judge.

Madden: "Not a good catch there, not a good catch there didnt make a football move!"

by tjbanf May 22, 2006

football move

An American football phrase used in the NFL rulebook used to overturn a clearly caught pass by a receiver but referees wish to overturn for no particularly reason. It is often used to screw over the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys. Naturally stretching out for a touchdown is not a "football move".

Dez Bryant caught the football, took took two steps, and stretched out for a touchdown; since he did not make a football move the catch was an incompletion.

by ashlux January 11, 2015

football move

A term used by NFL television analysts in attempt to easily clarify/determine whether a particular pass was either a) caught and then fumbled or b) incomplete. The thinking is that if a ball was dropped after making a "football move" that the ball was officially caught and then fumbled. In contrast, if the receiver was not making a "football move," it was simply a dropped pass and therefore incomplete.

The problem with this term is that a receiver could clearly fumble the ball while making a non-football move (e.g. basketball move, volleyball move, etc.).

"And that pass is caught by Troy Williamson at the 30 yard line and he turns sideways while releasing a hook-shot (basketball move) toward the 28 yard-line where it is recovered by Al Harris - that is an incomplete pass and the Vikings will retain possession of the ball - that was not a football move...what was Al Harris thinking picking that ball up after a basketball move?"

This is clearly a catch followed by a fumble without the presence of a "football move."

I apologize for the unrealistic example - no way Williamson would catch the ball.

by Mr. Fabian December 22, 2006