Question Number: 20206

Law 15 - Throw In 10/10/2008

RE: Adult

John Fletcher of Coventry, United Kingdom asks...

This question is a follow up to question 20155

The advertising hoardings are away from the pitch but there is a perimeter track behind them. It was from here that the player was attempting to start his run in order to take his throw. In both cases, he was prevented from taking the throw before he started his run-up. There was no undue delay in play (apart from the time the ref took to talk to the player). Can the ref tell a player where he may start his run for a long throw?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Remember the referee grants permission to a player to be off the field. A referee realizes that throw in, corner kicks, free kicks near touchlines might require a run up. I think it only practical that if the field size allows for it and the time is not too long so delaying the restart is not a consideration no referee should worry unless we are outside a security area or jumping over spectators or running through opposition technical areas.

The throw in is a simple restart excercise a long run up partcularily for flip throws is not beyond the allowable limits for most of us. The ball must be released close to where it exited the field to be classified as a correct throw in if all other things are in order.

If a referee has a bee in his bonnet that an overly long run up is a throw in being incorrectly done best not do it in that match. If the referee tells you you are taking too long to get the ball in play you could be cautioned but you still should get a throw in.

I will add this as well, while it could be a competition by law that states the playing field is only a certain part of the field (ie grass) and the track area might not be included as a place where we consider it as the field. More like the stands or changing area.

The law allows a player some leeway of exiting the field in normal playing circumstances but we are expected to return ASAP even in the restarts. If you were the one to retrive a ball assuming no ball boys or multiple balls in use then the run up should not even be an issue. What might be an issue as well is starting at the touchlines then going all the way back to begin again.

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

I don't see a tremendous problem with this... However, perhaps when players stray beyond the boards security for the players is compromised... I don't know the level of the match so I couldn't say whether security would be needed or not.