Question Number: 22173

Law 15 - Throw In 10/6/2009

RE: Premier Under 17

Scott of Anaheim, CA USA asks...

On a throw-in, can the player taking the throw bounce it off of the back of her teammate who has her back turned to her and then play the ball?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Scott. What Ref McHugh refers to is throwing the ball at an opponent not a teammate as you ask. Throwing the ball at your teammate isn't directly dealt with by the LOTG. Most referees view this as being perfectly legal. However, you will always find someone that thinks this unsporting behavior or 'trickery' to avoid the Law.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Absolutely legal in fact as long as the ball is not indiscriminately hurled at a sensitive spot (I refer to head, breast or groin areas as the sensitive parts) or with any amount of unnecessary force the same is permitted off an opponent.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Scott
Good question and the law has been changed on this in 2007/2008 season. If a player, while correctly taking a throw-in, intentionally throws the ball at an opponent in order to play the ball again but neither in a careless nor a reckless manner nor using excessive force, the referee must allow play to continue. Up until 2007 season it was seen as unsporting to do this and indeed some referees have not updated their knowledge on this.
So if the ball is thrown off a team mate it is allowed as well.