Question Number: 21532

Law 15 - Throw In 6/13/2009

RE: Middle School Under 12

Chris Stalnaker of Weston, WV US asks...

My daughter is wanting to learn a flip throw in. I have seen it done 2 ways. One way is with the ball in hands doing a front flip on the ball and then releasing. The other is to place the ball on the ground a foot or two from the line and flipping with your hands on the ground on each side of the ball and grabbing it on the way up and releasing. Are these both legal?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

They can be if the feet are on the ground WHEN the ball is released. Like any throw in it must be correctly performed. I will say this as a coach, in my opinion some players can get a better distance but it is RARE to be accurate.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I hate to say this, but why would you want an 11 year old child try this potentially dangerous stunt? Flip throws are perfectly legal as long as the pertinent portions of Law 15 are met when the ball is released: feet on the ground behind or on the touch line, ball from overhead, and facing the field. If the flip throw actually gained any advantage you'd see the pros always doing it yet they never do. I would strongly recommend you reconsider letting your daughter try this stunt now. Have her wait a few more years.