Unintentional Forward Pass Beyond LOS

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by mbyron

NFHS 2-31:

ART. 2 . . . A forward pass is a pass thrown with its initial direction toward the
opponent’s end line.

The important part for this discussion is not that, but the "NOTE" that follows immediately afterward. However...

"NOTE: Prior to releasing the ball on a pass, if the potential passer is contacted, and the ball is released, it is a forward pass if his arm was moving forward on contact."

...notice that it says "if", not "if and only if". That seems to allow for the possibility of its being a forward pass even if the arm wasn't moving forward. Then you're thrown back on 2-31-1&2, which leave it arguable as to exactly when a pass begins in Fed rules. It says, "In a pass, the ball travels in flight." However, it's not clear whether that's just a requirement for there having been a pass or defines the entire extent of the pass. If it defines the entire extent of the pass, then the movement of the ball in the passer's hand is not part of the pass and so doesn't determine its initial direction. If, however, it just determines that a pass has occurred, then with the wording "throwing the ball" it is at least arguable that the motion of the ball in the passer's hand is its initial direction.