lateral

[HLin NC]

Lateral is a "civilian" term. It is not used in the written rules of the game.

A pass is considered forward based on the initial direction of the pass.
That which is not considered forward is backward.

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by HLin NC

Lateral is a "civilian" term. It is not used in the written rules of the game.

No, actually the Canadian amateur & pro codes, as well as NFL's, use "lateral" as an alternative word for "onside" or "backward" respectively in reference to passes. NCAA used to do likewise but got rid of it a long time ago.

All the current Canadian & USAn codes distinguish the type of pass on the basis of its relationship to the ground -- either point of origin to point where it next touches the ground, a player, an official, or the sideline; or its initial direction as it leaves the passer's hand. In Rugby Union, last I looked there was still some controversy, but it seems most have decided it must relate to the motion of the passer over the ground, so that a pass may go forward over the ground without being judged as having been thrown forward if the player who passed it was running forward faster than the ball winds up moving forward, and (a rarer case) a pass that goes backward over the ground will be judged as thrown forward if the player was moving backward and passes the ball in such a way that it winds up moving backward more slowly than the player.

Last time I tried posting on an issue that crossed over between rugby & North American football -- it may have been this very issue -- the moderator moved it to the rugby section, maybe on the basis of its needing more traffic.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

No, actually the Canadian amateur & pro codes, as well as NFL's, use "lateral" as an alternative word for "onside" or "backward" respectively in reference to passes. NCAA used to do likewise but got rid of it a long time ago.

True and true. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_zg-J0q42M

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

All the current Canadian & USAn codes distinguish the type of pass on the basis of its relationship to the ground -- either point of origin to point where it next touches the ground, a player, an official, or the sideline; or its initial direction as it leaves the passer's hand.

In Canadian amateur, we do not care about the initial direction as it leaves the passer's hand. If the pass leaves going forward, but wind blows it backwards, and it then hits the ground, it is a backwards pass.

Originally Posted by dsurine

A lateral is not supposed to go forward, but almost all of them do. Two runners going forward and one laterals to the other. They are both running at approximately the same speed so the ball is going from one to the other and in relation to the two runners it is not going forward. But both runners have taken a step or two while the ball is in the air. So therefore the ball has really been passed forward in relation to the ground. What is the rule exactly.?

This effect is taken into account in a proper Canadian ruling, and a correct call would not allow your scenario. IOW, the first touch by the recipient must be a point not closer to the attacking dead ball line than the last touch by the sender.

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

In Canadian amateur, we do not care about the initial direction as it leaves the passer's hand. If the pass leaves going forward, but wind blows it backwards, and it then hits the ground, it is a backwards pass.

Yes, that's Fed's problem. I've no idea why Fed wants to make it that the only way to rule correctly on the direction of a pass in a close case would be for an official to be on the same yard line as the ball at release. They also have a provision defining handing the ball forward which can't possibly mean what it literally says.

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

Yes, that's Fed's problem. I've no idea why Fed wants to make it that the only way to rule correctly on the direction of a pass in a close case would be for an official to be on the same yard line as the ball at release. They also have a provision defining handing the ball forward which can't possibly mean what it literally says.

What parts of NFHS 2-19-2: "forward handing occurs when the runner releases the ball when the entire ball is beyond the yard line where the runner is positioned." or,

NFHS 2-19-3: "Backwards handing occurs when the runner releases the ball when any part of the ball is on or behind the yard line where the runner is positioned." are creating problems with your determining, "what it literally says"?

Granted, determining a violation of the "Handing" rule NFHS 7-3-2 does require precise positioning and detailed observation by the calling official, but those seem entirely appropriate considerations for determining such a violation.

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by ajmc

What parts of NFHS 2-19-2: "forward handing occurs when the runner releases the ball when the entire ball is beyond the yard line where the runner is positioned." or,

NFHS 2-19-3: "Backwards handing occurs when the runner releases the ball when any part of the ball is on or behind the yard line where the runner is positioned." are creating problems with your determining, "what it literally says"?

Granted, determining a violation of the "Handing" rule NFHS 7-3-2 does require precise positioning and detailed observation by the calling official, but those seem entirely appropriate considerations for determining such a violation.

What's the yard line where the runner is positioned?

[HLin NC]

I am neither Canadian nor a professional.

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

What's the yard line where the runner is positioned?

Would you prefer, "where the runner is "standing", "stationed", "occupying", "present" or some other word denoting his position ?