Question Number: 23628

Law 15 - Throw In 7/6/2010

RE: High School

John York of Weyers Cave, VA US asks...

This question is a follow up to question 23566

One note on a throw in that never gets to the touch line... US High School rules give the ball to the other team, unlike FIFA rules. Don't know why the US High School people chose to make their book so complicated.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee York
That is indeed correct Rule 15 Art 5. I'm not sure that it more complicated just that if a referee is officiating in both USSF/FIFA and NFHS he/she has to be aware of the differences that really don't need to be there.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

I believe the reason for the high school rule change was that some teams were using improper throw ins as a way to delay the match. Losing possession was thought to remove the incentive to waste time (although my experience is that a caution for delaying the restart of play works as well).

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

In the NFHS game, the timeclock rules the game. In a FIFA/USSF/USYS game, the referee controls the time, and will add time to compensate for delays if the team is obviously wasting time by not throwing the ball back in.

To keep HS players from running down the clock, NFHS decided that a throw-in that does not enter the field will be turned over for a throw by the opponents, the same as if the throw was performed illegally.