Question Number: 18017

Law 15 - Throw In 11/28/2007

RE: recreational Adult

noel lopez of aurora, il usa asks...

Hello! its me again! Wow you refs sure stick together don't cha? I don't mean to be so argumentative about the whole spin on throw-ins "myth"! However I came across this link and I would love for you to view.

http://www.soccerhelp.com/Throw.shtml


in the "A" section under "reminder" read line "D"!

I mean come on? referees are sending mixed messages over here! so you're telling me that my throw-in can be thrown in like if it were a basketball jump shot just as long as both hands are over my head and both feet on the ground?

lol

I know referee's can't get things right on the field, but on a their own website... ?

help me out spinning outta control!

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

No disrespect intended, but who are David and Kay Huddleston who wrote the site you referenced? I can find nothing on the site that indicates what kind of qualifications they have for writing about the Laws of the Game.

The official USSF position can be found in the document, Advice to Referees. Please note the second to last sentence.
[quote]
15.3 PROPERLY TAKEN THROW-IN
A throw-in must be performed while the thrower is facing the field, but the ball may be thrown into the field in any direction. Law 15 states that the thrower "delivers the ball from behind and over his head." This phrase does not mean that the ball must leave the hands from an overhead position. A natural throwing movement starting from behind and over the head will usually result in the ball leaving the hands when they are in front of the vertical plane of the body. The throwing movement must be continued to the point of release. A throw-in directed straight downward (often referred to as a "spike") has traditionally been regarded as not correctly performed; if, in the opinion of the referee such a throw-in was incorrectly performed, the restart should be awarded to the opposing team. 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.
[endquote]

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Provided all the requierments of the laws are met, it does not matter if there is spin on the throw in or not.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Hey, "me again", if you're going to forum shop for the answer you want instead of an answer based on official sources, we can't be of much use to you and then we'll get smart aleck replies like the one above from you. If however, you wish an answer based on the latest USSF/FIFA interpretations and publications and based on many collective years of experience teaching and assessing and refereeing, we can help.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

These folks are saying this: Must use both hands equally (can't use only one hand & if there is a lot of side spin the referee may say one hand was used too much).

We said spin is not an indication of an improperly thrown ball. I have shown new referees how to throw the ball correctly and incorrectly. I use both hands and spin the ball, I use one hand behind the ball and the other alongside the ball and do not spin the ball. Guess which one they pick as incorrect.

David and Kay Huddleston tell the coach to emphasise dragging a foot and not bending at the waist when teaching how to take a throw-in. I wonder why professional players stand feet together and bend at the waist when throwing. I wonder why I could throw the ball some 40-45 yards flatfooted and bending at the waist?

Our credentials as Referee, Referee Instructor and Referee Assessor are listed. Where are David and Kay Huddleston's credentials listed?

If you choose to believe them that's your choice. But the documents we cite are those referees will read to better their skills. If a referee has read them and calls his match as they advise you probably shouldn't question his judgement as you have questioned ours. The referee must be at the match for its duration, you don't have to be -- if you get my drift...

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

This website isn't offering anything of value to learning the laws of the game. I wouldn't rely on it.

As it's already been pointed out, the accurate description of the laws is not included on the website you have shown us.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Noel. Go read and re-read the pertinent parts of Advice To Referees. Spin is NOT disallowed. Period