Thwart a pass is a term used in sports, particularly football, to describe the act of intercepting a pass. Intercepting a pass involves a defensive player catching a pass that was intended for an offensive player. This can be done by either jumping in front of the intended receiver or by out-maneuvering them and getting to the ball first. Thwarting a pass can be a game-changing play and can help a team gain possession of the ball.