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lateral pass

1 of 1noun
/ˈlætərəl pæs/
Forms:lateral passes
1

a pass in sports, typically football or rugby, where the ball is passed sideways or backwards to a teammate

A lateral pass is a type of pass in sports like football or rugby, where the ball is thrown or kicked sideways to a teammate, rather than forward. The goal of a lateral pass is to maintain possession of the ball and set up a better play. Unlike a forward pass, which moves the ball toward the opponent's end zone, a lateral pass keeps the ball in line with the player or slightly to the side. It is allowed in many sports but requires careful timing and accuracy to avoid turnovers.

  • He made a quick lateral pass to his teammate on the wing.
  • The rugby player's lateral pass set up a scoring opportunity.
  • They used lateral passes to maintain possession of the ball.
  • The quarterback's lateral pass was intercepted by the defense.
  • The team practiced lateral passes during their training session.
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