Illegal Forward Pass?

[nelson_28602]

I saw this in the JV game a few weeks ago and I want your input. 2nd and 10 for A at the 50. A1 drops back to pass and is under heavy pressure from the defense. To prevent from taking a loss, A1 throws the ball away, but it is clearly a BACKWARD pass which goes out of bounds. The covering official marks the out of bounds spot. My question is: Can you have an illegal forward pass that prevents a loss of yardage on a backward pass? Thanks to all in advance for your thoughts.

[AndrewMcCarthy]

Originally Posted by nelson_28602

I saw this in the JV game a few weeks ago and I want your input. 2nd and 10 for A at the 50. A1 drops back to pass and is under heavy pressure from the defense. To prevent from taking a loss, A1 throws the ball away, but it is clearly a BACKWARD pass which goes out of bounds. The covering official marks the out of bounds spot. My question is: Can you have an illegal forward pass that prevents a loss of yardage on a backward pass? Thanks to all in advance for your thoughts.

The backward pass is perfectly legal. But he still took a loss- more than if he just went down, no?

Note it would also be legal to conserve time (stop the clock). Smart coaches should get on that one.

[l3will]

Okay, I'll bite.... A1 lost yardage due to the backward pass.... you want
a penalty too?

Illegal forward pass ... that means that the pass needs to be a forward pass for it to be illegal.

NFHS ... Rule 7-4-1 .... During any down, any player in possession may make a backward pass or may lose player possession through a fumble.

[HawkeyeCubP]

Originally Posted by nelson_28602

I saw this in the JV game a few weeks ago and I want your input. 2nd and 10 for A at the 50. A1 drops back to pass and is under heavy pressure from the defense. To prevent from taking a loss, A1 throws the ball away, but it is clearly a BACKWARD pass which goes out of bounds. The covering official marks the out of bounds spot. My question is: Can you have an illegal forward pass that prevents a loss of yardage on a backward pass? Thanks to all in advance for your thoughts.

I concur with the previous posts.

The short answer to your question is "no."

[KBAustria]

Originally Posted by AndrewMcCarthy

The backward pass is perfectly legal. But he still took a loss- more than if he just went down, no?

Note it would also be legal to conserve time (stop the clock). Smart coaches should get on that one.

Not under NCAA rules.
See 7-2-1
If the ball is thrown intentionally OOB, this is a foul and also gives the R the option of starting the clock on the ready.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by AndrewMcCarthy

The backward pass is perfectly legal. But he still took a loss- more than if he just went down, no?

Note it would also be legal to conserve time (stop the clock). Smart coaches should get on that one.

We don't allow smart coaches in Canada for this play: play starts on the ready every time.