lateral pass

noun

, Football.

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of lateral pass¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

McCarthy threw a lateral pass to running back Donovan Edwards, who quickly tossed it back laterally to McCarthy.

From Los Angeles Times

He took a lateral pass from Williams and rushed for nine yards.

From Los Angeles Times

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

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

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 Seattle Times