A reception in football is a forward pass that an offensive player catches and controls in bounds. Every time a receiver catches a pass from the quarterback, he is credited with one reception, also called a catch.
It sounds simple, but receptions are behind some of the biggest arguments in the sport. A receiver can grab the ball, take two steps and still have the play ruled incomplete. This guide explains exactly what counts as a reception, how it is recorded in the stat sheet, the NFL records, and the most famous catches in history.
What Counts as a Reception in the NFL?
A reception happens when a pass is completed to an offensive player. The NFL defines a completed pass in Rule 8, Section 1, Article 3 of the official NFL rulebook. A player who is in bounds must do three things:
- Secure control of the ball in his hands or arms before the ball touches the ground.
- Touch the ground in bounds with both feet or with any part of his body other than his hands.
- Make a football move, such as tucking the ball away, turning upfield or taking an extra step. He can also simply keep control long enough to make one.
If any of these steps is missing, the pass is incomplete and no reception is recorded. For a full breakdown with examples, read our guide to the NFL catch rule.
Going to the Ground
If the receiver is falling or diving while making the catch, he has to keep control of the ball after he hits the ground. If the ball comes loose and touches the turf, the pass is incomplete. If he catches it upright, gets two feet down and makes a football move, the catch is complete. A ball that comes loose after that point is a fumble, not an incompletion.
Why the Rule Changed in 2018
For years, plays like Dez Bryant’s catch in the 2014 playoffs and Jesse James’s touchdown in 2017 were overturned under the old “process of the catch” language. In 2018, NFL owners voted 32-0 to simplify the rule to the three steps above.
Does a Reception Have to Be a Forward Pass?
Yes. Only a caught forward pass counts as a reception. A backward pass, also called a lateral, is recorded as a rushing play, even if the player catches it in the air.
Who Can Make a Reception?
Only eligible receivers can legally catch a forward pass. These are usually:
- Wide receivers, who line up wide and run routes downfield
- Tight ends, who block and catch passes
- Running backs and fullbacks who line up in the backfield
- The quarterback, in rare trick plays when he is in an eligible spot
Offensive linemen are not eligible receivers unless they report to the referee as eligible before the play. If you are new to the roles on the field, our guide to the positions in American football explains each one.
A pass caught by a defender is not a reception. It is an interception.
Reception vs Completion: What Is the Difference?
A reception and a completion describe the same play from two sides.
| Term | Credited to | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Reception | The receiver | He caught a forward pass |
| Completion | The quarterback | His forward pass was caught |
| Target | The receiver | A pass was thrown his way, caught or not |
So when a quarterback goes 25 of 35, his receivers combined for 25 receptions on 35 targets.
What Does Not Count as a Reception
A play is ruled incomplete, and no reception is recorded, when:
- The ball hits the ground before the receiver secures control
- The receiver bobbles the ball all the way to the turf
- Only one foot lands in bounds in the NFL
- The receiver loses the ball when he hits the ground while diving
- A defender knocks the ball away first, which is a pass breakup
- The receiver is out of bounds when he gains control
A drop is not a stat in the official box score. It is a pass the receiver should have caught but did not, so it is recorded as an incomplete pass.
Reception Rules: NFL vs College vs High School
The biggest difference between levels is how many feet must land in bounds.
| Rule | NFL | College (NCAA) | High School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Control before the ball hits the ground | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| In bounds | Two feet or one body part (not hands) | One foot | One foot |
| Keep control when going to the ground | Yes | Yes | Yes |
This is why a toe tap catch on the sideline can count on Saturday in college and be ruled incomplete on Sunday in the NFL.
Types of Receptions
Receptions come from many kinds of plays. The most common include:
- Short receptions: Slants, hitches and quick outs that get the ball out fast. Our football route tree guide explains each route.
- Screen passes: Short throws behind or near the line of scrimmage, with blockers set up in front of the receiver.
- Deep receptions: Go routes, posts and corners that attack downfield for big gains.
- Contested catches: The receiver wins the ball while a defender is right on him.
- Sideline catches: The receiver drags his feet in bounds before stepping out.
Reception Stats Explained
Receptions are the base of every receiving stat line. Here are the key terms you will see in a box score.
| Stat | Meaning |
|---|---|
| REC | Total receptions |
| TGT | Targets, or times a pass was thrown to the player |
| YDS | Receiving yards gained on receptions |
| AVG | Average yards per reception |
| TD | Receiving touchdowns |
| Catch % | Receptions divided by targets |
| YAC | Yards after catch, gained after the receiver secures the ball |
A reception still counts even if the receiver loses yards on the play. A catch for minus 3 yards is one reception and minus 3 receiving yards.
NFL Reception Records
| Record | Player | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Most receptions, career | Jerry Rice | 1,549 |
| Most receptions, single season | Michael Thomas, Saints (2019) | 149 |
| Most receptions, single game | Brandon Marshall, Broncos (2009) | 21 |
Jerry Rice played from 1985 to 2004, and his career record has stood ever since. Larry Fitzgerald is second with 1,432 and Tony Gonzalez is third with 1,325, according to Pro Football Reference. Cooper Kupp came closest to Thomas’s season record with 145 catches in 2021. Marshall set the single game mark against the Indianapolis Colts on December 13, 2009.
Famous Receptions in NFL History
The Immaculate Reception (1972)
On December 23, 1972, Steelers running back Franco Harris scooped up a deflected pass just before it hit the ground and ran for the game winning touchdown against the Raiders in the playoffs. It is one of the most famous plays in football history.
The Catch (1982)
On January 10, 1982, Joe Montana threw to Dwight Clark in the back of the end zone to beat the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Championship. The 49ers went on to win their first Super Bowl.
The Hail Mary (1975)
In a 1975 playoff game against the Vikings, Roger Staubach threw a long, desperate pass to Drew Pearson for the winning touchdown. Staubach called it a “Hail Mary,” and the name stuck for every last second deep heave since.
The Minneapolis Miracle (2018)
On January 14, 2018, Case Keenum hit Stefon Diggs on the final play, and Diggs ran 61 yards for a walk off touchdown to beat the Saints in the playoffs.
Receptions in Fantasy Football
In fantasy football, receptions can be worth points on their own, depending on your league’s scoring.
| Scoring format | Points per reception |
|---|---|
| Standard | 0 |
| Half PPR | 0.5 |
| PPR (points per reception) | 1 |
PPR scoring makes high volume receivers and pass catching running backs much more valuable. A player with 10 catches for 60 yards scores 6 points in standard leagues but 16 points in full PPR. Receptions inside the 20 yard line matter even more, which is why fantasy players track red zone targets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a reception in the NFL?
A forward pass caught by an offensive player who secures control, gets two feet or one body part down in bounds, and makes a football move or holds the ball long enough to make one.
Does a reception have to be a forward pass?
Yes. A caught backward pass, or lateral, is counted as a rushing play, not a reception.
What is the difference between a reception and a completion?
They are the same play. The receiver is credited with a reception and the quarterback is credited with a completion.
Does a reception count if the receiver fumbles?
Yes. If the receiver completes the catch and then fumbles, he still gets credit for the reception. The fumble is recorded separately.
How many points is a reception worth in fantasy football?
One point in full PPR leagues, half a point in half PPR leagues and zero in standard leagues.
Who has the most receptions in NFL history?
Jerry Rice, with 1,549 career receptions.
Conclusion
A reception is a caught forward pass, but the rules behind it are more detailed than they look. In the NFL, the receiver needs control, two feet or one body part down in bounds, and a football move. College and high school only require one foot.
Once you understand those rules, the stats make sense too. Receptions drive receiving yards, catch percentage, records and fantasy points. The next time a big catch goes to replay review, you will know exactly what the officials are looking for.
