Question Number: 20453

Law 15 - Throw In 11/6/2008

RE: Adult

malcolm francis of london, england asks...

Dear Sir / Madam

What is the ruling about a player standing or jumping in front of a player taking a throw in? is there a minimum distance the player has to be from the player throwing in before he is allowed to jump for the throw? What stops a team placing their tallest player, for example, 2 yards from the person throwing in and jumping to block the throw? clearly players are allowed to jump for the ball when it is thrown into general play but what are the rules on this please?

Many thanks in advance

Malcolm

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

A couple years ago the Laws were changed to require opponents be two (yards/meters) from the spot of the throw-in. If the player violates this distance, he is cautioned and the throw is retaken.

Players may jump when the ball is thrown, as long as they are outside that 2-y/m zone.

Tall players sometimes get an advantage, such as being able to head the ball better than an opponent or a goalkeeper being able to reach a ball that a shorter player could not. That's just the way things go.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

A couple of things about throw-ins:

1) it is simply a restart, and normally shouldn't be micromanaged by the referee, but...
2) FIFA mandated the 'no less than 2 metres' to restrict opponents from unfairly interfering with the throw
3) a thrower has 3 feet/1metre from the place where the ball left the field to move about and throw
4) which means an opponent had really best be at least 3 metres from the thrower so as not to be called for failing to retire the required distance from the restart
5) referees who deal with this type of misbehavior early in a game rarely have any more trouble

A tall player standing 2-3 metres away may have no chance at the ball, since a thrower can send the ball in any direction onto the field, but if he is appropriately positioned, there is no restriction on his attempt at winning the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

A player who unfairly distracts an opponent taking a throw-in should be cautioned and shown the yellow card. A player who is closer than 2 yards to the point that the throw-in will be taken should be warned to move the required distance. If they fail to move they should be cautioned for failing to respect the required distance at the taking of a throw in.