lateral

[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.