Any ball not clearly a forward pass is a backward pass. The term lateral is not in any rule book Ihave ever read. The term is backward pass. A backward pass can be intercepted or recovered by the defense and they will get possession at the end of the play. A grounded backward pass is played as a fumble and can be recovered and advanced by either team.
A backward pass is one that does not go forward. Often, the receiver of a backward pass may then pass the ball forward. Once the ball has been passed forward, it may not be passed forward again during the same play.
Any player can receive a lateral or more formerly a backward pass. So the player does not need to be an eligilable receiver to receive a backward pass, unlike the rules for a forward pass.
You are only allowed one forward pass per play, and all forward passes must originate behind the line of scrimmage (i.e., the line where the ball was placed prior to the snap). However, a backward pass (or "lateral" pass) is always legal from anywhere on the field. So a quarterback can receive the snap, make a backward pass to a back or an end in the backfield, who could then legally pass the ball forward.
In American football there are forward passes and backward (or "lateral") passes. A forward pass is a pass with its initial direction toward the opponent's end zone. A lateral is a pass with its initial direction parallel with or toward the passer's own end zone. A forward pass is allowed only once per play, and the pass must originate behind the line of scrimmage (i.e., the spot where the ball was placed prior to the snap). If a forward pass hits the ground without being caught, the play is dead and the ball is returned to the previous spot. Backward passes, however, can be made at any time from anywhere on the field. If a backward pass hits the ground, it is still a live ball and can be recovered by any player from either team. If a backward pass goes out of play, the ball will be spotted on the line where it went out of bounds.
It depends on where the quarterback is standing in relation to the receiver. If the pass is forward, it is still a pass even if the receiver is behind the line of scrimmage. If the pass is backwards, it is considered a lateral and therefore a run.
In American football and Canadian football a lateral pass or lateral (officially backward A lateral pass is distinguished from a forward pass, in which the ball is after taking the snap, to quickly transfer. The Canada football is not the NFL. That's what I asked.
It depends which way your leaning at the moment. I think it's usually backwards (at least with my experiences!:)
Practice sculls(A.K.A. fishes),stroking,dips,backward skating, and stops (snowplow stops).
Any backward pass (which is what a lateral would be) that is not caught is a fumble in both the NCAA and the NFL.
shifting backward
Whoever gets to the ball first. :-) A backward pass (i.e., a lateral) that is not caught is a live ball, and any player from either team may recover it. If it goes out of bounds, the ball is spotted at that point.