Word
forward pass
Countable noun
Definition
n. a move in sports where a player throws or kicks the ball toward the opponent's goal. It is common in American football but against the rules in rugby.
n. the act of passing a ball toward the opponent's goal line in team sports. In American football, it is a legal manoeuvre once per down; in rugby, it is an infraction resulting in a scrum.
Examples
“The quarterback completed a long forward pass to his teammate.”
“After the referee whistled for a forward pass, the rugby team lost possession and had to defend a scrum.”
“The success of the offensive strategy relied entirely on the accuracy of the forward pass, which stretched the defensive line and created space for a touchdown.”
Examples
simple
“The quarterback completed a long forward pass to his teammate.”
contextual
“After the referee whistled for a forward pass, the rugby team lost possession and had to defend a scrum.”
complex
“The success of the offensive strategy relied entirely on the accuracy of the forward pass, which stretched the defensive line and created space for a touchdown.”
Usage
Commonly used in sports contexts like American football, rugby, and soccer.
Teaching tip
use this to discuss sports-specific jargon and the difference between legal plays in American football versus illegal ones in rugby union or league.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/forward-pass