What is Offensive Play? Offensive Play Explained in 2 minutes
Jesse M. Cox Last Verified
19/04/2026
The attacking team, or team in possession of the ball is more commonly known as the offense – and the tactics and movements they make are called offensive plays. Although the sports are obviously very different both football and basketball have offensive plays and that is how commentators, players and fans refer to that passage of the game.
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How is Offensive Play used in Sports Betting?
Football is a good example of how a sport can be divided into offensive and defensive components – and the plays that each part of the team will produce. The offensive side will be the main scorer of points in a match and it is the defensive unit’s main aim to stop them scoring.
As with any other instance of a match it is possible to bet on the outcome of an offensive play. These are very rapid fire result type of betting markets and a popular version is what the first offensive play of a match will be – especially when it comes to the Super Bowl.
Although bettors may be able to predict how many yards will be gained – and other specific details – it is more common for the offensive play bet options to be pass or rush. This means that a bettor can choose a sportsbook and whether they think the offense will throw the ball or run with it.
Did You Know...
One initial Super Bowl offensive play that surely cannot have been predicted was in 2014 when the snap from Denver’s Manny Ramirez went past the the quarterback Peyton Manning and was recovered by Knowshon Moreno in the end zone for a safety score to Seattle. Only 12 seconds had elapsed.
