Question Number: 23224

Law 15 - Throw In 5/1/2010

RE: Under 19

Steven of Sydney, Nsw Australia asks...

If a player jumps to impede the thrower but is back the 2 meters is it a yellow and idfk ? An what if he is not back the 2 metres?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Players more than 2 yards/meters from the site of the throw-in may do anything they wish in an attempt to intercept the throw. (Of course they may not commit unsporting behavior, such as shouting at the thrower to influence him.)

If a player is less than 2 meters from the site of the throw-in, the referee will evaluate if her position had any effect on play. If not, play continues as the infraction was trifling. If her position prevented or impeded her opponent from taking the throw, she is liable for a caution for failure to respect the required distance. If the player is cautioned, the throw is retaken.

Page 126 of the Interpretations and Guidelines section of the Laws of the Game states
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Referees are reminded that opponents may be no closer than 2 m from the point at which the throw-in is taken. Where necessary, the referee must warn any player within this distance before the throw-in is taken and caution the player if he subsequently fails to retreat to the correct distance. Play is restarted with a throw-in.
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