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Lateral pass
01
a pass in sports, typically football or rugby, where the ball is passed sideways or backwards to a teammate
Grammatical Information
Animacy status
Inanimate
Plural form
lateral passes
What is a "lateral pass"?
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.
Examples
He made a quick lateral pass to his teammate on the wing.
