When is a throw to a player considered a legal pass?

A throw to a player is considered a legal pass when it is made beyond the defender's line. This means that for a pass to be legal, it must be thrown from behind the line of scrimmage and reach a player who is positioned beyond the line of scrimmage at the moment the ball is released. This rule is in place to ensure that the offensive team has a fair opportunity to advance the ball downfield and that defensive players remain within the bounds of their responsibilities.

Receiving the ball behind the line of scrimmage or throwing it in the correct direction does not factor into the legality of the pass in terms of its recognition as a forward pass. A player not being on the line of scrimmage refers to the eligibility of the receiver rather than the legality of the pass itself. Therefore, the focus on the defender's line aligns with the requirement for a pass to be deemed legal.