Question Number: 21853

Law 15 - Throw In 8/28/2009

RE: high school High School

Ian Neil of nampa, Idaho USA asks...

During a game, when a throw-in would be the correct restart after play has been stopped, would it be illegal to have your feet facing one direction,towards the field, and turn your body another direction and throw another direction? Example: The thrower is facing up the field and he turns his torso to face and throw down the field.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

NO problem! Facing the field does not require the lower body parallel to the upper body. The feet must be on or behind the touchline the fact they face a different direction is not an issue. The ball must be delivered from behind and over the head while you face the field, your feet may face the other way!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Gene Nagy

Ian, as far as facing the field is concerned, the law simply says that he must face the filed. It makes no difference if he turns and some of his body is not facing the same way. Sadly some new refs will call this a foul throw. It is in fact very difficult to NOT face the field and deliver the ball from behind and over the head. The elements of a throw-in you describe are correct.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

law 15 says:

At the moment of delivering the ball, the thrower:
? faces the field of play
? has part of each foot either on the touch line or on the ground outside the
touch line
? holds the ball with both hands
? delivers the ball from behind and over his head
? delivers the ball from the point where it left the field of play

It doesn't matter if he twists his body as long as the rest of the requirements of Law 15 are met