Question Number: 21566

Law 15 - Throw In 6/19/2009

RE: Rep Adult

Phil of Holland Landing, Ontario Canada asks...

Is there any required distance that you have to be from the line while making a throw in? A number of my team mates were being called for throwing the ball in too far from the line.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The Laws of the Game say that the throw-in must be taken 'from the point where it left the field of play'.

Although it doesn't specifically apply to you, USSF has further defined that to be:
15.1 LOCATION OF THROW-IN
Although the throw-in is to be taken 'from the point where [the ball] crossed the touch line,' this requirement is satisfied if the restart occurs within approximately one yard (one meter) of this location, farther upfield or downfield or back from the touch line. A throw-in taken beyond this limit is an infringement of Law 15.

So yes, you can be too far from the line and be called for a bad throw.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

You're supposed to take the throw from the point the ball left the field of play. Leeway is usually a yard or so. Personally, if a player is more than a yard off the touchline he's only disadvantaging his team so I consider that infraction to be trifling same if the throw is taken farther away up the touchline. The only time I punish a throw for not being taken from the proper spot is if the thrower is disadvantaging the opposing team. All that said, the referee in your case was acting within Law. I just find it silly to punish someone for hurting his own team but that's just me