Incomplete Pass or Fumble?

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by whitehat

Case 1: LOS A20 yd line. QB drops back to his own 15. As he starts his throwing motion, B98 hits him and otherwise spins him so the ball leaves the QB's hand in a passing motion but in the direction of his own EZ and ball hits the ground at A's 10. Ruling?

Case 2: Same situation, but instead of typical throwing motion the ball leaves the QB in a underhand or "pitch motion." Ruling?

1. Fumble. 2-31-2 states that a forward pass is thrown with its initial direction toward the opponents goal line. The case has the ball coming out backward. The judgment is made by the direction of the ball, not the direction of the arm.

2. Same ruling. The definition of passing does not specify the manner in which the ball is thrown.