Handoff question

[sj]

NF. 7-3-1...Any player may hand the ball backward at any time.

7-3-2...No player may hand the forward except during a scrimmage down before a change of possession, provided both players are in or behind the neutral zone and it is to: a) A lineman who has clearly face his end line by moving both feet in a half-turn and is at least 1 yard behind his line when he receives the ball.

Since there are no exceptions listed in 7-3-1 is this to be interpreted that any player may hand the ball backward at any time ....to any other player?

Meaning does a lineman have to do the half-turn/face his end line thing in order to receive a backward handoff? Or can a lineman get a backward handoff any old way? Is there another rule that governs this?

[HLin NC]

The ball can be handed backward anytime, anywhere, with no restriction.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by sj

Meaning does a lineman have to do the half-turn/face his end line thing in order to receive a backward handoff? Or can a lineman get a backward handoff any old way? Is there another rule that governs this?

As long as you're understanding 'backward' correctly, backward handoffs are unrestricted.