Question Number: 18966

Law 15 - Throw In 5/2/2008

RE: Rec Under 16

Fred Frizzle of Franklinton, NC UA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 17588

I've always been under the assumtion that a drop is not a legal throw in. I've always taught that you must have two hands on the ball, bring it from behind your head, over your head and throw it into the field of play. I relize that there is no requirement for how far or hard a throw must be made, but it must be thrown. True, False or interpertation?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Fred, a throw in is a simple restart of play. As you suggested how far or hard plays no part the ONLY stipulation saside from following correct proceedure is the ball on the drop or throw in of wee little force does not touch the body of the thrower on its way down and arrives within the field of play which includes the boundry line itself.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Fred, paragraph 15.3 Properly Taken Throw-In in Advice to referees on the Laws of the Game tells us a "spike" is traditionally regarded as an improperly taken throw-in. This tradition seems to be peculiar to America and not other places. What I believe a "spike" looks like is the ball is thrown hard and very close to the feet of the thrower. I also believe Advice is incorrect and as I don't have all that much "drag" with the folks at US Soccer I have elected not to gripe about this particular piece of advice [yet].

Until the time this sentence is lost from policy those of us not believing in it are allowing a throw-in outside of official policy and don't have a leg to stand on if that point causes us to fail an assessment. I'll gladly pay for another one it that's the case.

Patience, patience, patience.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Actually, there is no requirement that it be "thrown", if by thrown you mean with force. It can be dropped (thrown softly), if all other requirements of Law 15 are met (all hands on the ball, from behind and over the head, while facing the field and with both feet on or behind the touchline. The infamous "spike" apparently is aimed at a ball that is forcefully thrown straight downward (since spike as a verb means to impale, pierce or injure), with the perceived intent of either striking an opponent or intimidating them. I personally don't care whether they throw it hard or soft, as long as they meet the requirements stated in the Law, because statistically, throw-ins are won by the other side at least 50% of the time.