What is indicated when the ball is thrown parallel during a forward pass?

When the ball is thrown parallel to the line of scrimmage during a forward pass, it is technically not classified as a forward pass. In the NFHS rules, a forward pass must travel beyond the line of scrimmage in the forward direction. A pass that is thrown parallel does not meet this criterion because it does not advance downfield; it simply remains even with the point from where it was thrown.

In this context, the correct understanding reinforces the distinction between different types of passes. A lateral pass, for instance, occurs when the ball is thrown backward or directly sideways, which is a separate classification. If a pass were to be declared illegal, it would involve different infractions such as exceeding the number of eligible players or improper formations, rather than the pass being lateral or parallel. Thus, the scenario indicates that a parallel throw is not considered a forward pass, leading to the conclusion that the correct answer is aligned with the rules governing pass classification.