Can any player with the ball behind the LoS throw it?

[MC Fatigue]

Just curious.

If so - let's say a RB has no room to run, and is out near the sidelines. Instead of running out, can they throw the ball away, like a QB could?

I was just watching a play, and thinking to myself - he's going to get tackled, he's got no room, he's behind the LoS, and he has a player wide open 5 yards in front of him, watching him. Why not toss that guy the ball, instead of losing the 3 yards?

I understand, in the situation it can be hard to think that fast. But I tend to think very quickly when playing sports, and I'm certainly not the only one. So I was wondering why I've never seen this, and if there's some rule about it.

[Chaos81]

Wouldn't be any different then a half back pass would it? Might not be able to do it on a hand-off or something, but I'd think on a toss you could.

[Sandman42]

I'm pretty sure only the WR's, RB's, and TE can throw the ball. Offensive lineman can't throw though since they aren't eligible receivers so there's no way to get the ball to them.

What your describing though may nor may not be possible depending on the offensive line. The RB could throw the ball to a WR if he wanted to but chances are the offensive lineman may already be downfield since they are run blocking which would lead to an inelligible receiver downfield penalty. If the OL is still at the line of scrimmage the RB could still throw it without a penalty though.

[ODogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sandman42

I'm pretty sure only the WR's, RB's, and TE can through the ball.

Sometimes the spelling on this board is bad and all but this one really is righteous!

[MC Fatigue]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sandman42

I'm pretty sure only the WR's, RB's, and TE can through the ball. Offensive lineman can't throw though since they aren't eligible receivers so there's no way to get the ball to them. What your describing though may nor may not be possible depending on the offensive line. The RB could throw the ball to a WR if he wanted to but chances are the offensive lineman may already be downfield since they are run blocking which would lead to an inelligible receiver downfield penalty. If the OL is still at the line of scrimmage the RB could still throw it without a penalty though.

Ok - that makes sense to me. I didn't really understand the ineligible receiver thing before, but I'd guess if you're doing a running play you don't have time to check if the OL is up field or not already.

[Chaos81]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sandman42

What your describing though may nor may not be possible depending on the offensive line. The RB could throw the ball to a WR if he wanted to but chances are the offensive lineman may already be downfield since they are run blocking which would lead to an inelligible receiver downfield penalty.

That's a good point.

[eXperiment63]

You can only have one forward pass on any given play. Even if the pass is behind the LOS, if it isn't backwards(a lateral), it is the only forward pass that can be completed on the play.

So yes, as long as the ball was lateraled back to them, any player could throw it.

[p_rushing]

Unless there is a rule about a hand-off not being a lateral, then as long the hand-off is not in front of the QB, the RB can throw it.

An OL can throw it, but you won't ever see it as the OL is always on the line of scrimmage and he would have to get behind the QB before he could then get the ball. Its not going to happen unless the QB fumbles it backwards, the OL picks it up without anyone on top/around him.