drop back

Verb

• Of a quarterback or other player in the backfield, to take a number of steps back from the line of scrimmage immediately after the snap or hike of the ball, to avoid defenders.
• To move to a lower (or slower) position in a race or competition; to slow down so as to meet up with someone behind oneself

Noun

• The act by a player in the backfield of dropping back from the line of scrimmage after the hike of the ball.