Question Number: 24712

Law 15 - Throw In 3/21/2011

RE: Select Under 13

Rob of Raleigh, USA asks...

Is there a rule governing how one player transfers the ball to another player on a throw in? Scenario is player A, outside the field of play, throws the ball over his head to player B on the field of play. Player B catches the ball and then proceeds outside the field of play to throw the ball in.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

If A makes a motion that is too close to being a valid throw-in, she risks the chance that the referee will see the ball being in play. Then when B catches it, handling is called. To be absolutely safe, A should just drop the ball outside the field and move away as B comes to throw it.

As with any restart, the referee has the discretion to determine whether any action is taken to put the ball into play or to position the ball for the restart.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Common sense applies. If a player is tossing the ball to another to take the throw-in, the referee should allow it to happen. The difference between a toss and a throw-in is usually very clear. But, if the referee decides that this was a throw-in, that judgment stands.

Many coaches, with younger players, teach the player to place the ball on the ground so that there is no confusion whether the first player was making a throw-in. It's a useful technique as the players gain experience. But, setting the ball on the ground is not a requirement.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Rob
If it is simply tossing the ball using whatever motion to a teammate to take the throw in then the referee will form an opinion that play has not not restarted and he will not intervene.
However should the referee decide that the ball was put into play and perhaps the player then decides for tactical reasons to 'cancel' the throw in that should not be allowed. That will be plainly obvious to the referee and indeed the players.