Passing

Situation:  Quarterback on Team A is back to pass.  He has brought his arm back to make the throw when he or the ball is contacted, (1) prior to the arm moving forward, (2) after the arm is moving forward.  In (1) it is a fumble, in (2) it is an incomplete pass.

SECTION 31 PASSING

ART. 1 . . . Passing the ball is throwing a ball that is in player possession. In a pass, the ball travels in flight.

ART. 2 . . . A forward pass is a pass thrown with its initial direction toward the opponent's end line.
NOTE: Prior to releasing the ball on a pass, if the potential passer is contacted, and the ball is released, it is a forward pass if his arm was moving forward on contact.

ART. 3 . . . A forward pass has gone beyond the neutral zone if at any time during the pass, the entire ball is beyond the neutral zone.

ART. 4 . . . A forward pass ends when it is caught, touches the ground or is out of bounds.

ART. 5 . . . A backward pass is a pass thrown with its initial direction parallel with or toward the runner's end line.

ART. 6 . . . A backward pass ends when it is caught or recovered or is out of bounds.

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