Forward or Backward

[JasonTX]

I agree with Welpe for his NCAA answer. One thing to point out is that a backwards pass IS NOT a fumble. Both of these play situations involve an intentional act. A fumble is not an intentional act. It's very important to understand the difference between a fumble and a backwards pass because there are other rules that come into play depending on what you actually have. ie, 4th down fumble rules, fumble that goes forward and out of bounds comes back to the spot of the fumble. Neither of those two would apply to a backwards pass.