Question Number: 21988

Law 15 - Throw In 9/15/2009

RE: Adult

Enzo Posca of Montreal, Quebec Canada asks...

Can a player step on the line when performing a throw in?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

yes. the requirement for the feet is they are both on or behind the touchline

Answer provided by Referee Gene Nagy

Enzo, the player can be on the line with both feet but if he raises his himself on his toes, which are now inside the field it becomes an illegal throw in.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Both feet must be on or behind the line - that means a player can have the front of his foot on the field as long as his heel is on the line.

Another common scenario is when a player has his 'front' foot pointing down the line, but with most of the foot on the field - as long as part of the foot is on the line, there's no problem.

If the part of the foot that's on the line is lifted off the line, then we no longer meet the criteria of having both feet on or behind the line.

However, as referees we should also ignore trifling infringements - unless it's blatant I wouldn't bother, though you can have a quiet word with the player to watch his feet as you run past.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Enzo:

Law 15 requires that the thrower 'has part of each foot either on the touch line or on the ground outside the touch line.'

Throw ins are a way to get the match restarted quickly when the ball goes out of play. Referees can ignore trifling or doubtful infringements in the manner of the throw-in.