Page "Lateral pass" Paragraph 0

In American football, a lateral pass or lateral, officially backward pass ( onside pass in Canadian football ), occurs when the ball carrier throws the football to any teammate behind him or directly next to him ( i. e. on or behind a line running through the ball and parallel to the line of scrimmage ).

A lateral pass is distinguished from a forward pass, in which the ball is thrown forward, towards the opposition's end zone.

In a lateral pass the ball is not advanced, but unlike a forward pass a lateral may be attempted from anywhere on the field by any player to any player at any time.