forward pass/backwards pass

[Theisey]

Right out of the NCAA definitions:
A forward pass is determined by the point where the ball first strikes the ground, a player, an official or anything beyond the spot of the pass. All other passes are backward passes. When in question, it is a forward pass rather than a backward pass when thrown in or behind the neutral zone.

I saw the play and it appeared backward from the camera angle that showed the play.

[mcrowder]

I'm a Longhorn, but I thought it was pretty clear that the spot of Thompson's hand was behind the 12 yard line, while the spot where the ball hit Peterson in the hand was ahead of the 12. I think they got screwed... again. But at least this time the game was pretty much over.

[RoyGardner]

My understanding of the "forward/backward" determination is that it should be based on the relative position of the ball as follows:

1. ball position at release
vs.
2. ball position at the point of 1st contact with anything (a player, the ground, or an official).

If 2 is behind 1 then we have a backward pass, everything else is a forward pass.

[JasonTX]

Originally Posted by RoyGardner

My understanding of the "forward/backward" determination is that it should be based on the relative position of the ball as follows:

1. ball position at release
vs.
2. ball position at the point of 1st contact with anything (a player, the ground, or an official).

If 2 is behind 1 then we have a backward pass, everything else is a forward pass.

Or if 2 is on the same line as 1 we still have a backwards pass.