Clarification of forward and backward pass

[MJT]

If you are looking for the NFL rule, rule 3-21-2 states "A forward pass is a pass that intially moves forward (to a point nearer the opponents goal line) after leaving the passer's hands and before touching another player."

NFL rule 3-21-4 covers backwards pass, "A backwards pass is any pass that is not a forward pass." Supplamental note "A pass parallel to a yard line or an offensive player moving parallel to it as the snap is considered backward."

[dvasques]

Thank you all
Reading all this I realized that I'm making it harder than it is... I'll remember now. Forward pass is one that moves forward. How obvious could that be?
Thanks a lot

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by dvasques

Thank you all
Reading all this I realized that I'm making it harder than it is... I'll remember now. Forward pass is one that moves forward. How obvious could that be?

You'd be surprised. Codes differ on whether you measure to the point where it touches anything (including the ground), to the point where it touches another player, or whether you just have to judge its initial direction (ignoring deflection by wind). They also incorporate different exceptions for balls that come loose unintentionally after a player's hand starts forward with the intention of passing.

But at least the North American football codes agree that direction is w.r.t. the field. If you look at rec.sport.rugby.union a few years ago, there the consensus was that it was to be figured relative to the passer's motion!

Robert