longpasses

Long passes, also known as aerial passes or balls over the top, are a fundamental tactical element in many team sports, particularly football (soccer) and American football. They involve kicking or throwing the ball a significant distance downfield, often with the aim of bypassing the opponent's midfield and defense. The objective is to reach a teammate positioned further up the field, creating scoring opportunities or gaining territory.

In football, long passes are typically executed by midfielders or defenders to forwards who are making runs behind the opposition's back line. Successful execution requires accuracy, power, and good judgment of the ball's trajectory and the receiver's movement. Conversely, poorly executed long passes can easily turn over possession to the opponent.

In American football, the long pass is a crucial offensive play, often referred to as a "bomb" or "hail mary" in extreme situations. Quarterbacks aim for wide receivers running deep routes, aiming to gain a large chunk of yardage or score a touchdown. The success of a long pass is dependent on the quarterback's arm strength, the receiver's speed and catching ability, and the defensive coverage. This type of play carries a higher risk of interception but can yield significant rewards.