Backwards pass

By NFHS rules, can a backwards pass by the QB ever be ruled intentional grounding? Or does grounding have to be on a forward pass?

[Bob M.]

REPLY: In Federation, no backward pass is illegal. Intentional grounding cannot be ruled on a backward pass. In NCAA however, a backward pass thrown out of bounds intentionally to conserve time is an illegal pass.

Appreciate the reply, thanks.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by Ch1town

...can a backwards pass by the QB ever be ruled intentional grounding? Or does grounding have to be on a forward pass?

CANADIAN RULING:

No. Deliberate grounding has two criteria that must be met:

1. throwing to an area with no eligible team A receiver
2. apparantly to avoid a loss of yards

That means that the QB spiking the ball is not deliberate grounding! Anyone care to guess why?

[The Roamin' Umpire]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

CANADIAN RULING:

No. Deliberate grounding has two criteria that must be met:

1. throwing to an area with no eligible team A receiver
2. apparantly to avoid a loss of yards

That means that the QB spiking the ball is not deliberate grounding! Anyone care to guess why?

The QB himself is eligible?

[rdfox]

Since no backward pass is ever illegal, you therefore can always give up yardage to stop the clock.

For example, on what appears to be the last play of the game and the runner is going to get tackled short of the goal line inbounds with only 3 seconds left...and A has no more time outs...the runner can throw the ball backwards or even sideways OB and the clock will legally stop until the snap.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by The Roamin' Umpire

The QB himself is eligible?

Correct! You'd be surprised how many newbies get tricked by that question.