Question Number: 19760

Law 15 - Throw In 8/18/2008

RE: Amateur Adult

Gary Jones of Cardiff, Wales asks...

Can you throw the ball at your team mates back, as long as he is 2 metres away?

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

You could do it even if the teammate were less than 2 yards away, provided you aren't trying to deliberately strike him or do some kind of violence unto him.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Gary, even closer if a team mate, so absolutely as long as it is not in a forceful manner or injury prone location, at the head or crotch area. In fact you are permitted to bounce it off an opponent PROVIDED a referee does not view it as a striking motion.
Quote from the additional guide to referees)
If a player, while correctly taking a throw-in, intentionally throws the ball at an opponent in order to play the ball again but neither in a careless nor a reckless manner nor using excessive force, the referee
must allow play to continue.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Your teammate doesn't have to be 2 meters away. This only applies to opponents. Also, unless for some reason you are trying to injure your teammate there's no prohibition against throwing the ball in your teammate's back.