Question Number: 18097

Law 15 - Throw In 12/10/2007

RE: Competitive Under 17

Judy of New Albany, IN USA asks...

Is there a defined space an opposing player has to stand when the other team is throwing in a ball? My daughter recevied a yellow card at a recent tournament because she was not 2 yards from the sideline. She was not jumping, just standing her ground - it just happened to be right in front of the opposing player throwing in the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Actually your daughter was cautioned for failing to respect the required distance at the taking if a corner kick, a free kick or a throw-in. A couple of years ago the International FA Board added to Law 15 the requirement opponents are to be not closer to the thrower than 2 meters.

The reason for this is players were taking positions so close they interfered with the thrower's ability to throw the ball from where it left the field of play. At that time it was permitted to do this so long as the player didn't interfere by "dancing about and gesticulating". In other words standing there wasn't interfering unless they moved. If the player did interfere the referee was required by Law to caution and show the yellow card to him. Few referees did this. The International FA Board corrected this by moving the player away and placing the caution with failing to respect the distance. In Law 15 there still remains a mandatory caution for any opponent who unfairly distracts or impedes the thrower.

Standing her ground must have been in the eyes of the referee that day something he needed to deal with.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Judy,
no more standing your ground if the player is that close to the throw in spot.
The laws were altered a short time ago to ensure there was a free space, 2 yards in fact to be granted to an opponent during the throw in. It has the same effect as the 10 yards mandatory withdrawal on free kicks just not as far. Usually a warning, "Step back two yards please can educate the younger players but the yellow card shown is correct if the action delays the restart or fails to respect the correct distance.
Quote LAW 15
"Procedure
All opponents must stand no less than 2 meters from the point at which the throw-in is taken" end quote

You will note that this is different then if your daughter had subsequently jumped

Quote LAW 15
"If an opponent unfairly distracts or impedes the thrower:
he is cautioned for unsporting behaviour and shown the yellow card. " end quote
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

As your daughter is required to retire 10 yards on a free kick, she likewise must do so on a throw-in only it's 2 yards not 10. At the level of competition your daughter plays, she's expected to know the rules. That said, most referees would give a verbal warning before issuing a caution and yellow card.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Yes. Opponents must be 2 yds from the ball on a throw in. The referee was perfectly correct to issue the caution.