Question Number: 24683

Law 15 - Throw In 3/12/2011

RE: Competitive High School

Trevor Snodgrass of Pullman, WA United States asks...

Just today I was throwing the ball in, and the ref blew his whistle and awarded the throw to the other team. The call was 'using one hand more that the other to throw.' He said, that because the ball had sideways spin, that it is a bad throw. During the throw, my feet did not come off the ground and the ball moved started from behind my head, and it was thrown straight. Is this correct?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Trevor
Unfortunately the referee has not stayed current with the Laws. Up until 2008 Law 15 stated that a player must 'use both hands'. In 2008 that was all changed to the current wording of 'holds the ball with both hands'.
Some referees used the sign of clear sideways spin on the ball as proof of not using both hands. That is no longer the case and your throw was legal as you describe it. The referee needs to be informed of this.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Even before 2008 sideways spin did not necessarily mean it was a foul throw. The referee was incorrect in this instance.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Oh dear. The referee was following a myth that equal force was required by both hands and thus, spin means foul. High school rules are the same as TLOG. The requirements regarding holding the ball is that both hands be on the ball and that the ball be delivered from behind and over the head. It looks odd, but spin is irrelevant.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

My colleagues are absolutely correct. Please contact the head of the local high school referee association and share this. I'm sure it will come up in training again, if not for the first time!

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

See Question: 24791