lateral pass

American  

noun

Football.

1. a short pass thrown or tossed parallel to the line of scrimmage or slightly backward from the position of the passer.

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Etymology

Origin of lateral pass

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

He then received a lateral pass from Stafford and rushed five yards for his second touchdown and a 14-0 lead.

From Barron's • Jan. 11, 2026

But for a novelist who has enchanted us for more than four decades with his large storytelling gifts, “Blue Skies” feels like a lateral pass.

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2023

Dallas broke through on its third possession, highlighted by Prescott's 41-yard pass over the middle to Cooper and a lateral pass to Lamb that went for 33 yards to the New Orleans 1.

From Fox News • Dec. 2, 2021

Amid a six-player scrum around Holtby’s crease, Anthony Cirelli attempted a lateral pass, but the puck hit John Carlson’s skate, changed direction 90 degrees and glided right past Holtby to make it 3-1.

From Washington Times • Mar. 20, 2019

Quarterback Bert Henley, calling signals in the huddle, nominated one of Coach Edward's new plays—the lateral pass opening into a forward.

From Interference and Other Football Stories by Sherman, Harold Morrow