Question Number: 23933

Law 15 - Throw In 9/14/2010

RE: Rec Under 9

Ron of Fairfield, CA USA asks...

A player on Team A kicks the ball which deflects off of a player on Team B, and the ball subsequently crosses the side line (the Team B player has last touched the ball, but had no control of it).

Which team gets the throw in? Team A (Team B last touched the ball) or Team B (Team A last controlled the ball)?

This situation commonly occurs with our 8 year old girls teams, and as I am often asked to be a line judge, it would be helpful to know what the proper call is.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Team A gets the throw.

Law 15 says, 'A throw-in is awarded to the opponents of the player who last touched the ball when the whole of the ball crosses the touch line, either on the ground or in the air.'

The key word there is touched. It doesn't have to be a touch with control, any touch will do.

As your daughter gets older, you will see players deliberately ricocheting the ball off the opponent so that it goes over the touchline, and thereby gain a throw-in for their team.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Ron
When the ball crosses the touch line or goal line the restart is awarded to the opponents of the player who last touched the ball. That touch does not have to be deliberate.