Question Number: 22369

Law 15 - Throw In 10/26/2009

RE: Select Under 19

nancy of citrus heights, ca usa asks...

The tournament rules stated -

'Each team is allowed to substitute players during your throw.'

How would you have interpreted this rule -

Each team can sub during only their throw -

Or each team can sub during either teams' throw -

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Ah the wonders of the English language, or the usage thereof. I can see how either interpretation could be made. Not knowing the context of the rules normally used in that area, I would hesitate to guess which one they meant.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The high school indicate that only the team in possession may make a substitution on a throw in. My guess is that the tournament is trying to adopt the high school rule. (Otherwise, 'throw-in' would simply join goal kick and kick off as substitution opportunities for either team.)

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Generally substitutions are permitted at any stoppage but in tournament and youth play because of unlimited in and out opportunity they try to restrict the exchanges to be FAIR and NOT delay the restarts. If the team with the throw has substitutes ready they can do so. If the opposition ALSO has players ready to sub they may do so because their counterparts are. If their counterparts were not wanting to substitute then the opponents are not permitted to substitute either. The idea being not to take away any advantage at a quick restart opportunity for the team with the restart!
Cheers