Forward pass

A throwing of the football from a member of the team in possession of same to another member of the same team who is closer to the football goal for that team than the member throwing the ball. This is permitted only one time during an offensive football play and only from behind the line of scrimmage.

The person passing the ball must be a member of the offensive team, the recipient of the forward pass must be an eligible receiver, and must touch the passed ball before any ineligible player.

See also

• American football/Glossary