Hook and ladder (football)

Common card · No. 329851

The hook and lateral, also known colloquially as the hook and ladder, is a trick play in American, Canadian football and indoor American football. The hook and lateral starts with the hook, which is where a wide receiver runs a predetermined distance, usually 10 to 20 yards down the field, and along the sideline, and "hooks in" towards the center of the field to receive a forward pass from the quarterback. Another offensive player (a wide receiver or running back) times a run so that he is at full speed, toward the player with the ball when it is caught. As the defenders close in on the stationary ball carrier, he laterals or hands the ball to the teammate running at full speed in the opposite direction of the original receiver. If unanticipated, this play puts defenders out of position, running in the wrong direction. If the second receiver catches the lateral in stride, he can be long gone before defenders can react. However, the offense runs a high risk of turning the ball over if...

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