Question Number: 23644

Law 15 - Throw In 7/9/2010

RE: all levels Adult

Doug Anderson of Orillia, Ontario Canada asks...

This question is a follow up to question 23566

I am interested in the twist that referee Dennis Wickham puts on the throw in answer (if thrown in not proper, it goes to other team whether it comes into play or not.

Until now, I would not have made a similar ruling. My reasoning (up until this moment) has been that if a ball has not come into play, what occurred leading up to that did not matter.

The LOTG and the interpretations and guidelines are quite clear and I will adjust my thinking. Thanks Dennis.

Except, at U11 and downward, I wonder if a more lenient approach is indicated. Often incorrect throws that do enter FOP are retaken depending on age and other factors (recreation leagues or early in the season for the "U-littles"). Obvious club or league practice should be identified and followed so the kids get the same story week to week.

Does this seem like a reasonable limit to officiousness and rule of law?

DSA

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Anderson
At U12 and below I am particularly lenient on incorrectly taken throw ins.
If it is blatantly incorrect, I will stop play and ask for the player to throw it in again, pointing out the reason for the retake. It is usually jumping off the ground to achieve distance. Simple encouragement such 'Okay we will have the throw in again. This time both feet on the ground.' works well and it is then learning rather than been given an advantage
Sometimes a team mate will go to retake the throw in but I insist on the same thrower. Players and coaches then see that it is an opportunity for the player to learn the proper TI mechanism in a match situation.
At older levels, if I don't have neutral assistants, I assume the ball has entered the FOP and the TI goes to the other team close to where it touched the ground. It is made on the assumption that the ball entered the FOP at a point down the line from the TI. Standing on or close to the line there is a good chance that the ball touched the plane of the line and therefore in play.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Our rec leagues have modified rules permitting a redo. At U8 we play on even if the second throw is bad; at U10 if the second throw is bad the other team gets to try. But at U12 everyone is expected to do it right the first time - an expectation that is not completely realistic, but is achieved far more than it might be.

Because of the redo rules, I am a bit more picky when I get one of those games (which is rare). I can stop them for a foot a couple inches off the ground, because I know they'll get to do it again. It provides for a learning moment.

Incidentally, several people on this panel and our colleagues at USSF were surprised when that new wording popped up in the interpretations a couple years ago. This, along with the back-heeled PK, goes against the general concept of "nothing can happen to change the restart" while the ball is out of play.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Many, many infringements of Law 15 are trifling and can be ignored by the referee for the good of the game.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 23666