Question Number: 23295

Law 15 - Throw In 5/12/2010

RE: Competitive Under 12

Steve Carlson of Ridgefield, CT USA asks...

Law 15. The question is around any provisions in FIFA Law or guidance for a disabled one arm player on a throw in.

The referee allowed this situation (for the record, I agree with the inclusion). There were parents who were upset with it, claiming that this one armed player actually gained an advantage with the technique used.

My question is whether there is 'official' FIFA law or guidance that drives this decision that the referee made to allow this type of throw in? I hope so and I would like to use it to educate these parents.

Thank you

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Steve
I am all in favour of inclusion and it is fantastic that a young player is able to participate with a disability in our sport. You do not describe the throwing motion. I would advise that the player throw the ball in from over the head using the palm of the hand rather than any underarm or sideways throwing motion like a goalkeeper. It would be akin to the free throw motion in basketball without obviously the use of the second hand. In that situation the TI would then be the same any other throw in. The use of one dominant hand is allowed now in a TI.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

USSF's publication Advice to Referees says in section 15.3, 'A player who lacks the normal use of one or both hands may nevertheless perform a legal throw-in provided the ball is delivered over the head and provided all other requirements of Law 15 are observed.'

FIFA does not address the issue in the Laws of the Game.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Silly parents. They obsess on Law 15, but the throw-in is just a way to get the match restarted quickly. 99 percent of their issues are doubtful and trifling, and best ignored.

The USSF expressly covers the 'one-armed' issue in the Advice To Referees, at 15.3. Law 5, moreover, provides that basic rule that the opinion of the referee as to all infringments is final.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

A player must use both hands, or all the hands they have to make a throw-in. Your instincts are correct. The one armed player who used the one hand he had is fine. Parents need to take a chill pill and be grateful their own children have two hands, two feet and can play a game.