Question Number: 21681

Law 15 - Throw In 7/22/2009

RE: High School

chris of romulus, ny usa asks...

This question is a follow up to question 21481

As a follow up question, there was a set play yesterday where player A from team 1 had a team mate stand 2 yards away and then deliberately threw the ball into the back of his team mate. Player A then stepped onto the field and played the ball. Is this considered trickery and/or not in the spirit of the game? I seem to recall from high school (decades ago) that this was outlawed. Thanks!

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

There is nothing wrong with this play. In fact, it could be an opponent that was used to rebound the ball, as long as the ball was not thrown recklessly or with excessive force.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Law 15 USSF and Rule 15 NFHS simply require that the thrower cannot touch the ball again until it has touched another player (after it has left his hands and entered the field, of course). 'Another player' is not defined, thus it means either teammate or opponent.

If this is a set play, there is nothing in the Laws or NFHS rules against it. Perhaps it was set up to trap unwary referees?

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The consensus is that this is lawful. FIFA has addressed when the thrower uses the back of an opponent (let play continue unless throw is careless, reckless or with excessive force). If OK against an opponent, it ought to be OK against a teammate, IMO.

But, some respected instructors had believed that this was unsporting behavior, and you might recall someone who held this view.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

This is quite lawful, as long as the throw is taken correctly. I don't believe the law has been circumvented here.