Question Number: 20230

Law 15 - Throw In 10/12/2008

Kirk of Los Angeles, CA USA asks...

My question relates to the position of the feet on a throw-in. Assume that the player taking the throw-in initially sets the back part of both heels on the touch line and the rest of both feet are inside the touch line. As the throw-in is taken and before the ball is released, the player lifts both heels off the ground, even though the heels are still positioned above the touch line -- the front part of the feet remain in contact with the ground, but are inside the touch line. I realize that this could be seen as trifling, etc., but I think it is still important to know the exact rule. From everything I have read on this website, lifting the heels in this scenario, thereby losing contact with the touch line, would result in an infringement of the throw-in rule (i.e., because no part of the feet are in physical contact with the touch line or the ground outside the touch line), even though the heels remain hovered over the touch line. Compare this to the penalty kick requirement that the keeper remain 'on his goal line.' In the penalty kick context the keeper may lift his feet and is still considered 'on' the goal line even though his feet aren't in physical contact with the line. See Advice 14.4. If actual physical contact with the touch line or the ground behind it is required, I'm fine with that.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Kirk,
absolute letter of law you could be correct but in reality never in a million years is there a need to see this as anything but trifling. At best this is likely to be one foot as the lifted heel is generally with the drag leg. Just try standing on the balls of your feet close to the touch line but with heels hovering just above it, not exactly a winner in the equilibrium contests. Given we see the boundary lines as 5 inch invisible walls extending upward for the ball in or out I see no reason not to extend the same courtesy to throw-ins and pk keeper on the goal line situations
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

You're asking about the technicality of a law designed to quickly resart play.

My advice to you is to only punish offenses of law 15 that were clearly unfair or blatently obvious.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Kirk. Please be careful with your choice of words. You say 'inside the touch line when I think you mean to say 'on the field of play'. As you know, as long as ANY part of both feet is on ANY part of the touchline at the taking of a throw-in, they are positioned legally. The feet must stay ON the touchline until after the ball is released into play. Once the ball is in play, the feet may come up. If they are up before the the ball is in play, it's a foul throw. That said, the only time I would punish this is with little kids that are still trying to learn the rules. Anytime else this would be a good example of a trifling offense