What Is the Gadget Used by Quarterbacks to Hand Off?

The only tool a quarterback uses to hand the ball off to his ball carrier is his hand, so therefore the meaning of the word "gadget" in football is synonymous with a trick play. Quarterbacks use deception to trick a defense into thinking something else is going on so the offense can gain yards in another way. It's a play that cannot be used very often because it relies on the defense not expecting it and being caught off guard.

  1. Handoff as a Gadget

    • The handoff can be used as a gadget to fool the defense, which is called a play-action pass. This occurs when a quarterback pretends to hand the ball off to a running back but instead keeps the ball and passes it to a wide receiver. The quarterback needs to pull the ball away quickly and retain control.

    Reverse and End Around

    • There are several gadget plays that involve a handoff. The reverse is where a ball carrier takes a handoff from the quarterback and runs toward one side of the field to draw away the defense, then pitches the ball to another player. An end around is similar, but the ball carrier is a wide receiver or a tight end.

    Gadget Passing Plays

    • The flea-flicker is a well-known gadget passing play, but can catch a defense off guard. The quarterback hands the ball off to his running back, who makes as though he is going to run the ball -- usually up the middle -- but then he turns around and pitches the ball back to the quarterback, who hopes to surprise the defense by throwing a pass down the field.

    Halfback or Wide Receiver Pass

    • The option pass involves the quarterback handing the ball off to a ball carrier, who makes the defense think he is going to run the ball. However, the gadget in this play is that the ball carrier stops running and throws the ball down field after faking the run. That can fool the defense into committing to a running play. It is designed to free up a wide receiver down the field for easy yardage or a touchdown.