How it works
The exact rule depends on the league. In the NFL, a passer outside the tackle box can generally throw beyond the line of scrimmage without a nearby receiver, while other exceptions also apply.
What people often miss
A hurried incompletion is not automatically grounding. Officials judge the passer's location, pressure, receiver area, and where the ball lands.
Why this question comes up
Fans often disagree because intent must be inferred from a fast-moving play.
Key points
- Intentional grounding is an illegal forward pass thrown to avoid a loss when the passer faces pressure and has no realistic eligible receiver in the area.
- The exact rule depends on the league. In the NFL, a passer outside the tackle box can generally throw beyond the line of scrimmage without a nearby receiver, while other exceptions also apply.
- A hurried incompletion is not automatically grounding. Officials judge the passer's location, pressure, receiver area, and where the ball lands.
Bottom line
Intentional grounding is an illegal forward pass thrown to avoid a loss when the passer faces pressure and has no realistic eligible receiver in the area.
Source and verification
This Answer was checked against NFL Football Operations. Follow the source for the full official explanation and any later updates.