When Is a Forward Handoff Illegal in the NFL?

Sep 17

2 min read

Updated: Oct 10

An NFL player may hand the ball forward to an eligible teammate behind the line of scrimmage. A forward handoff becomes illegal when it occurs beyond the line, goes to an ineligible teammate behind the line, or follows a change of possession.

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Air Force quarterback Shea Smith hands the football to fullback Todd Newell behind the line of scrimmage during the 2007 Armed Forces Bowl.

A handoff is a direct transfer between players. It is forward when the receiving teammate is ahead of the player handing it to him, regardless of the ball’s motion during the exchange. A toss travels through the air and must be judged as a backward pass or forward pass instead. Calling a play a sweep does not decide which rule applies.

Three illegal situations

Beyond the line of scrimmage, a forward handoff costs five yards from the transfer spot and loss of down. The offense cannot extend a run by handing the ball forward after crossing the line.

Behind the line, handing forward to an ineligible player costs five yards from the previous spot and loss of down. A lineman's location alone does not make him eligible; receiver eligibility depends on formation and other requirements.

After a change of possession, a forward handoff costs five yards from the handoff spot. This restriction applies even if the original offense later regains the ball during that down.

A dropped handoff stays live

A muffed handoff is a fumble, whether the attempted transfer was legal or illegal, unless either player immediately regains control. The ball does not become an incomplete pass simply because the transfer moved forward.

Suppose a quarterback directly hands forward to a sweeping receiver behind the line. The receiver mishandles it and the ball falls to the turf. Players can recover the live ball under the applicable fumble rules.

If the quarterback instead flips the ball forward through the air, a drop may be an incomplete forward pass. That short toss also uses the offense's one permitted forward pass for the down. Replay may therefore need to determine how the ball left the quarterback's hands before deciding the result.