Can 2 offensive players touch a forward pass?
James Craig
Published Jan 13, 2026
The penalty of an illegal touch of a forward pass only occurs on offense. Someone who catches the ball but is not allowed to will be flagged for an illegal touch of a forward pass. This penalty is most frequently called on wide receivers and offensive lineman.
Can two offensive players touch a pass?
Double touching by the offense is not legal.
How many forward passes can the offensive team perform per offensive play?
The offensive team may make one forward pass from behind the line during each down. If the ball, whether in player possession or loose, crosses the line of scrimmage, a forward pass is not permissible, regardless of whether the ball returns behind the line of scrimmage before the pass is thrown.
Can you make 2 forward passes in football?
A forward pass can only be used once per down. If one forward pass is completed to an eligible receiver on a down, they must continue with the ball or use a backward pass from there. If the receiver attempts another forward pass on that down, it results in a penalty flag.
What is an illegal forward pass NFL?
An illegal forward pass is one that is made either in front of the line of scrimmage or after another forward pass has already been completed. This penalty, on the offense, will negate any play that occurs after the pass, if the penalty is accepted.
45 related questions foundCan you pass after a forward handoff?
No, it'd be illegal. If the hand off is forward, it counts as a forward pass. If the receiver of that forward hand off then throws a forward pass it'd be considered the second forward pass of the play and thus be illegal.
Can you throw a football forward?
The forward pass is one of the main distinguishers between gridiron football (American football and Canadian football) in which the play is legal and widespread, and rugby football (union and league) from which the North American games evolved, in which the play is illegal.
Can a QB throw twice?
It's one of the first rules you learn when you get taken into the backyard and taught how to play football: You can only throw one forward pass each play.
What is the penalty if your helmet falls off during play?
The player who loses his helmet is also barred from further participation during that play. If he continues to play without the helmet, he will be penalized 15 yards for a personal foul. No one questions the intent or spirit of the rule.
How many forward passes are allowed during a play?
Yes, only one forward pass per play is permitted. Also, the ball must not have gone past the line of scrimmage at any point; in other words, it is illegal for a player to take the ball past the line, then lateral it backwards to another player who then throws a forward pass.
Can only quarterback throw ball?
At the line of scrimmage (the position on the field where the play begins), the quarterback loudly calls out a play in code and the player in front of him, the center, passes, or snaps the ball under his legs to the quarterback. From there, the quarterback can either throw the ball, hand it off, or run with it.
Can a running back pass the ball?
The halfback option play is an unorthodox play in American and Canadian football. It resembles a normal running play, but the running back has the option to throw a pass to another eligible receiver before crossing the line of scrimmage.
Is a forward lateral illegal?
The oxymoron "forward lateral" is used to describe an attempted "lateral" (backward pass) that actually goes forward. In most cases, it is illegal. A variant, the hook and lateral, where a forward pass is immediately passed backward to a second receiver to fool the defense, is used on occasion.
What is an illegal touch pass?
The penalty of an illegal touch of a forward pass only occurs on offense. Someone who catches the ball but is not allowed to will be flagged for an illegal touch of a forward pass. This penalty is most frequently called on wide receivers and offensive lineman.
What is illegal touching?
Illegal touching is exactly what it sounds like. The receiver touched the ball illegally, usually because he stepped out of bounds and came back in to impact the play. Sometimes it's a lineman who gets hit with the penalty for catching a ball when they weren't an eligible receiver.
What is the Emmitt Smith rule?
'Emmitt Smith rule'
Keep your helmet on, kids. Smith would famously remove his helmet during celebrations. Now, the helmet has to stay on unless the player is injured.
Why can't NFL players take their helmets off?
The rule is in place because you have no reason to remove your helmet unless you need to come off the field, which in case you can and then later return to play. This allows the game to keep moving forward without any delays or distractions on the field.
Do college players keep their helmets?
NCAA Rules Reminders:
Student-athlete may retain athletics apparel and equipment items at the end of their intercollegiate participation. Equipment may also be retained over vacation periods and returned.
Can a lineman run the ball?
Minor exception: If the ball becomes "loose" anywhere on the field, anyone can try to pick it up and run. Minor exception: No forward passes are allowed past the line of scrimmage but a lineman can catch a lateral (backward or sideward) pass anywhere, and run.
Can a quarterback catch his own pass and throw again?
Players can throw backward passes as many times as they want. As for a forward pass, yes – once and as long as the quarterback is wearing an eligible number (in high school and college). In the NFL, the thrower cannot legally catch his own pass until it is touched by another player.
Can a tight end throw pass in NFL?
The tight end is allowed to catch passes and block downfield, whereas some other positions are not allowed to do this. They can be used to deceive defenses by lining up as if they will help block for a quarterback or running back, but instead running downfield to catch a pass.
Can you throw the ball back in NFL?
ARTICLE 1. BACKWARD PASS. A runner may throw a backward pass at any time (3-22-5). Players of either team may advance after catching a backward pass, or recovering a backward pass after it touches the ground.
When did forward pass become legal?
In the opener for Saint Louis against Carroll College on September 5, 1906, Bradbury Robinson threw football's first legal forward pass.
Can running back throw ball after handoff?
Only the player who receives the snap can avoid intentional grounding by leaving the tackle box. If you take a handoff or backward pass, you'renot allowed to throw the ball away. It's a weird quirk. This is why running backs about to lose a ton of yardage can't just throw the ball away to save yardage.
Is a sideways pass a forward pass?
A pass that is directly sideways from the passer is considered a backward pass. A backward pass that goes out of bounds is ruled the same as when a fumble goes out of bounds; the ball is returned to the spot of the fumble.