In professional American football, a pass attempt intended for a specific offensive player is a crucial statistic. For those lining up wide on the offensive line, these attempts represent opportunities to advance the ball and contribute to scoring drives. For example, a quarterback throwing the ball towards a player positioned on the sideline, expecting them to catch it, constitutes one such attempt.
The frequency of these aimed passes provides valuable insight into a team’s offensive strategy and a player’s role within that strategy. A high volume suggests a player is a focal point of the passing game, implying reliability and skill. Historically, tracking these attempts has evolved alongside the passing game itself, becoming increasingly sophisticated as offenses have grown more complex. This data is now essential for evaluating player performance, predicting future outcomes, and understanding offensive schemes.