Question Number: 23206

Law 15 - Throw In 4/28/2010

RE: Rec Under 12

Kevin O'Brien of Vienna, VA USA asks...

If a player attempts to throw a ball in but it stays out of bounds (lands out of bounds), what is the correct call (knowing in this league refs often use this as a teaching point)?

Is is a do over?
Is it a turnover?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Kevin
If the referee and the AR are absolutely certain the ball did not touch the plane of the touchline then the throw in did not enter the field of play and the throw in is taken again. It makes no difference where the ball lands once it touches the plane of the touch line as it is then in play.
If I am on my own in a game without neutral assistants and a player is standing on or close to the line I make the assumption that the ball has to touch the plane of the line on the throwing motion which puts it into play and as it has gone out of play again a throw in is awarded to the other team..

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I assume this is a United States Soccer Federation sanctioned game? At the taking of a throw-in, if the ball hits the ground outside the touchline before crossing over the touchline in the air or on the ground (thus putting the ball into play), the throw is to be taken over. Many Leagues have a policy of allowing players a second throw at the lower levels of play for teaching purposes but that wouldn't apply here as the throw has to be taken again anyway.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

If the ball is otherwise properly thrown but does not enter the field (or touches the ground off the field before entering), the throw-in is retaken (at all levels of play).

If the mechanics of the throw were improper (e.g., feet not on the ground/not on or behind the touchline)), then a throw-in is awarded to the other team. (Some instructional leagues allow mulligans.)