Skip to main content
double reverse

double reverse

1 8.2
A running play in American football where the ball is handed twice, each time changing direction
  • noun
  • /ˈdʌbəl rɪˈvɜrs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : doble reverso
  • I'm doing a four back, double pass, slit, double reverse, double reverse.

Examples

  • Then there was the toss out of the shotgun and the fake double reverse play-action calls on the final drive of the game.

    Blog text (4)
  • No, it's a double reverse!

  • Wildcat, double reverse, hail Mary.

    Blog text (20)
  • Handoff, Double Reverse.

  • On fourth down with three yards to go, Navy called a double reverse for a surprise play.

  • The coach decided to use a double reverse to confuse the opposing defense during the game.

  • In the final minutes, the team executed a perfect double reverse that gained them crucial yardage.

How Deceptive

double reverse
  • Specialized
1 8.2
reverse
  • Jargon
9 7.2
end run
  • Jargon
1 6.5
handoff
  • Jargon
8 3.9

Surface Forms

Morphology

double + reverse

The phrase is built compositionally from 'double' (twice) + 'reverse' (a play that reverses the ball's direction), so the meaning 'a play involving two reversals/hand‑offs' is directly derivable from the constituents. Even though it is a sports-specific term, a B1 learner who knows both words and the sports sense of 'reverse' would readily infer the intended meaning.

Etymology

The noun double reverse comes from a football play where the ball is handed off twice and each time the player runs the other way. The word double shows it happens twice and reverse means the change of direction, so the play is used 'to fool the defense'.