Question Number: 17977

Law 15 - Throw In 11/21/2007

RE: Select Adult

Christopher Lloyd of Novato, CA USA asks...

Does ANY other referee ever enforce the 6 foot rule at throw-ins? I don't think so. I see opponents standing a foot away, jumping up and down, with no reaction from the referee. I verbally warn players at the first instance, but I get some strange looks. Never had to card a player after that though.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

There is no such thing as the so called "6 foot rule". That is probably why you don't see it enforced and no one seems to know what you're talking about.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The required distance for opponents at the taking of a throw-in is 2 meters. Further opponents are not to unfairly interfere with a throw-in.

Interfering used to be called "dance about and gesticulate". a player engaged in that was cautioned and shown the yellow card because he did it, in other words the caution was mandatory. The verbiage in Law 15 today is:

If an opponent unfairly distracts or impedes the thrower:

he is cautioned for unsporting behaviour and shown the yellow
car card.

You'll note the wording, he IS cautioned and shown the yellow card.

If we look in Law 12 to see what other bad things are happening we can find this, under cautionable offences:

5. fails to respect required distance when play is restarted with a
restarted corner kick, free kick or throw-in.

When you warn a player not to do this you put them on notice that if it happens again you'll want their name for your notebook. They are smart enough to learn from your words. at least in your match that day. What other referees do or are afraid to do has led the players to thinking they may violate the Law with impunity.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Law says 2 meters (about 6 ft). These referees should be at least explaining to the players this. Players are also not allowed to unfairly distract or impede the thrower during a throw in. If your referees are ignoring this, then I am sorry. Everyone in my areas seems to now understand this Law change from 2-3 years ago.

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

See Question: 17985