The act by a player in the backfield of dropping back from the line of scrimmage after the hike of the ball.
take position in the rear, as in a military formation or in the line of scrimmage in football
"The defender dropped back behind his teammate"
to lag or linger behind
"But in so many other areas we still are dragging"
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.