Question Number: 19078

Law 15 - Throw In 5/13/2008

RE: Select Under 13

Rick Moffitt of Birmingham, AL USA asks...

Is there a minium distance requirement for a ball to travel during a throw in?

I had a ref. call a throw-in invalid because the player threw the ball directly down at the ground approx. 1 yard out from her feet. The mechanics of the throw were not in question. It was the fact that the throw itself did not travel a particular distance.

I have played, coached and ref'd soccer for 30 years and have never heard of a minimum distance that a ball must travel when thrown.

Can you please enlighten me if there has been a rule change?

Thanks.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

No such distance is specified, other than it MUST go behind andthen directly over the throwers head (using both hands, with both feet on the ground standing on or outside the touchline) and then the ball must break the outside edge of the touchline to be considered in play.

However, you are describing a spike which tradition dictates is an illegal throw-in. It's almost more of a matter of common law than codified law. US Soccer supports this ruling, and I've seen it penalized similarly on EPL games. We also do not permit throws from a sitting position or on the knees.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Rick,
it is a myth that belies the significance that a throw in is a SIMPLE method to get the ball from in touch back into play. The ball throw is no different than how we look at what a kick is, the motion must be seen as a kick thus a throw must be seen as a throw. Nothing dictates the force used except in a kick the ball must visibly move whereas a throw must leave the hands after it travels up to and over the head. Often players will carry the ball past that point and bring the ball well below head level right to the waist even before the ball is released either as a drop by releasing the ball to fall or a spike with the downward force of the action. Technically these are incorrect movements NOT described in the accepted procedure.
? delivers the ball from behind and over his head

One could certainly ignore some deviation as trifling and to be sure it overly concerns young referees simply because it has recognizable protocol that referees find it easier to find fault with then recognize fouls.

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

What you are describing is not a throw but, rather, a spike which, at least in the US constitutes a foul throw.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Here are US Soccer's words on the subject:

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.

The reader will notice words like "traditionally -- regarded" and "referee must judge". In my opinion these words DO NOT force the referee to act, they merely offer an opinion rather than a policy.

Regards,