Question Number: 22568

Law 15 - Throw In 11/22/2009

RE: Other

tom of west islip, ny usa asks...

when a throw in was taken it never enterered into the field of play... the ref awarded the other team the ball.... i believe that is wrong and a re throw is to be given, but the two officals of the game told me i need to learn the rules...now they got me second guessing

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

In high school, such a throw in would cause a throwin to be awarded to the other team. Under the laws of the game, the throw-in would be retaken.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Tom
According to the FIFA Laws of the Game, where the throw in does not enter the field of play it is retaken. Referee Wickham has outlined the NHFS rule of a turnover which if not known leaves people second guessing, as in your case.
As regards the comment by the referee about learning the rules he is correct except that he needs to state that it is NHFS rules that need to be learned.
The final point is where officials switch between codes I have no doubt it can get confusing as to what laws apply in a particular game.Thankfully we don't have this problem in this part of the world as we operates to one set of Laws.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

As Ref Wickham noted, in NFHS rules a throw that does not enter the field automatically is turned over to the other team. As your question references 'the two officials' I suspect this might be a high school game with the dual referee system.

In the interpretation and guidelines section of the Laws, page 126, we find: 'If the ball touches the ground before entering the field of play, the throw-in is retaken by the same team from the same position provided that it was taken in line with the correct procedure. If the throw-in is not taken in line with the correct procedure, it is retaken by the opposing team.'

So if it was a proper throw that didn't enter the field, it would be retaken. But if the mechanics were incorrect, the ball is turned over to the opponents. This has been in the Laws for 3 or 4 years now, if I recall correctly.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Tom, you don't say whether this was a High School game or one played under FIFA/USSF rules. In high school, the referees are correct. FIFA/USSF, you're correct. The fact that you say '2' officials leads me to believe this was a high school game

I apologize for them being rude to you if you approached them in a calm respectful manner. If you did most of us would be happy to talk with you.