forward pass

American  

noun

Football.

1. a pass in which the ball is thrown in the direction of advance toward the opponent's goal.

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forward pass British  

noun

1. Also called: throw-forward.  rugby an illegal pass towards the opponent's dead-ball line

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Etymology

Origin of forward pass

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Which is how it quickly instituted some of the most notable shifts in the way the game is played since the adoption of the forward pass.

From The Wall Street Journal

However, Sam Prendergast's missed conversion attempt left the score tied at 10-10 and the home side breathed a huge sigh of relief when Lynagh's apparent try was ruled out for a forward pass.

From BBC

France's first try was scored by the electric Louis Bielle-Biarrey, but only after what appeared to be a forward pass in the build-up.

From BBC

Each forward pass strengthens the wave, while each backward pass weakens it.

From Science Daily

Modern-day football has moved away somewhat from the traditional English style of play when I was in the game, of direct forward passes which encouraged more final third entries.

From BBC