American football / Rule 08
Passes and fumbles
NFL · 2026In short
Forward passes, catches and loose-ball recovery.
Passing forward
The offense may throw 1 forward pass per down from behind the scrimmage line, before the ball has crossed that line and before possession changes. A legal catch needs control, both feet or another body part except the hands inbounds, and a football action or enough time for one. An incomplete pass ends the down.
Backward passes and fumbles
A backward pass remains live if it hits the ground and either team may recover it. Fumbles can also change possession. On fourth down before a possession change, after the two-minute warning, or during a Try, special rules restrict advancement by teammates of the fumbler. A fumble out through the opponent’s end zone gives the defense a touchback.
Independent explanations and translations, not official federation publications. Independent summaries of the supplied NFL 2026 rulebook; NCAA and IFAF rules may differ. The comparison covers standard 15-a-side rugby union.
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