Question Number: 24806

Law 15 - Throw In 4/12/2011

RE: Under 19

Steven of Sydney, Nsw Australia asks...

If a player is 2m from a throw in but jumps up n gets the ball or the throw in is throw in to them is there a offense for impeding even thou he's 2m ?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Steven
It is a matter for the referee to decide based on the circumstances. The question the referee has to consider is whether the player is far enough back to attempt to win the ball rather than interfere with the TI through unfair distraction or impedes the thrower . If he is well back then there is no issue. Once it gets closer to the thrower its less clear cut.
Also most throw ins the ball is usually thrown quite high from the TI so it rarely attempted. When it is attempted the player is usually close to the thrower within the 2 m and that should not be allowed.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The laws do not permit a defender to interfere with a throw-in, even if two yards away. the laws intend that a throw-in be an uncontested way for a quick restart of the match. While a warning will usually suffice, interfering with the throw-in can be cautioned as misconduct. It is not something that should be ignored by the referee as it can provoke a ball thrown directly into the opponents face.

The term 'impeding' concerns a different foul.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

There is no impeding whether he is 2 meters or two centimeters from the thrower. The defending player is required to move back the 2 meters AND he is required not to interfere with the throw. By jumping up he has interfered with the taking of the throw. At 2 meters he is still close enough to be viewed as interfering. Where he 10 meters away, likely not.