Question Number: 15688

Law 15 - Throw In 6/3/2007

RE: High School High School

Marc of Anchorage, AK USA asks...

My son's team plays another team who have as one of their main weapons a boy who can throw the ball a long way. However, rather than starting the throw with the ball held equally in both hands, he starts the throw with his left hand on the left side of the ball and his right hand directly behind the ball. During the throw, he uses his right hand as the primary force. The ball leaves his hands with a distinct spin counter clockwise from the force imparted by the right hand.

I had thought Law 15, and in particular the NFSHSA rules, required that the hands be placed on each side of the ball and force be applied equally by both.

Is the throw-in described above legal?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Spin on the ball is NOT illegal and is a popular Myth of the Game. You are a US referee. Here's what Advice To Referees says. "There is no requirement in Law 15 prohibiting spin or rotational movement. Referees must judge the correctness of the throw-in solely on the basis of Law 15." The first sentence is in italics to emphasize spin in and of itself is not illegal. If the player has to arms and hands, he's required to use both. If, in your opinion, he's basically throwing the ball with one hand, that's a foul throw. But, even if you judge it to be a foul throw, you also have to decide if any advantage was gained. Advice 15.5 reminds us that a throw-in is simply a way of getting the ball back into play and many infringements are viewed as trifling especially at higher levels of play. Having been a youth referee for many years, I can tell you way too much emphasis is placed on having "perfect" mechanics by coaches and fellow referees.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Marc position yourself so you can see the thrower deliver the ball. If, in your opinion, he is using just the one hand to throw the ball sanction him. Ref Contarino gives you what you should do. High School rule is, basically, the same. Bottom line, if he is getting his distance by throwing the ball with one hand and guiding it with the other it's cheating. I taught my players to throw like you describe -- until the referee stopped them ONCE. After that do it properly or the other side gets to take all the throw-ins.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

He must USE 2 hands. If he's only using one, that isn't allowed. However, if he is using both hands and meeting all of the other requirements of rule 15, you should allow it.

There is nothing I find more obnoxious than several whitles for foul throws that don't really matter in the grand scheme of the game.

I would say only punish the infringements that are completely outside the bounds of what is fair, or those that have a tactical impact on the game.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 15738