Question Number: 24007

Law 15 - Throw In 9/24/2010

RE: youth Rec through mens 2nd Adult

Brian Lewis of Winnipeg, Mb Canada asks...

This question is a follow up to question 23908

Just a comment on the original question.

'The ref actually said you can just have one foot on the line while the other foot can be on the field. Is that accurate?'

Based on FIFA LOTG this is not entirely accurate depending on your interpretation. While the lines are in fact part of the area which they encompass, IMO the referee in this case was stating that only one foot has to be on or behind the line and the other foot is irrelevant which is incorrect. That is not what referee McHugh stated in his answer, so I had to reread the question and the other answers and LOTG to ensure I understood what was meant in this case and I'm not sure the poster received a straight answer.

IMO the referee in this case was incorrect in his answer and should have called a foul throw and awarded it the opposition.

Just my 2¢ worth

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Brian
Poor wording on my behalf. What I intended to convey is that a player can have part of his foot on the field of play and that is legal provided he has part of his foot behind or on the line.
The questioner was of the opinion that the feet needed to be behind the line which is incorrect.
A foot that is totally over the line results in an incorrectly taken throw in and the throw in is awarded to the opposition so your assertion is correct.