Question Number: 24817

Law 15 - Throw In 4/14/2011

RE: Rec Adult

Ian of Auckland, New Zealand asks...

This question is a follow up to question 24791

Thanks for the answers guys. I've always been one for letting play go on when the issues are minor and not picking up on foul throws unless there is a blatant failure such as feet off the ground or no attempt to take the throw from the back to the front and over the head.
However, it seems now that the likes of Stoke in the EPL (Delap) and others are using the long throw as a real weapon and this is starting to filter down to recreational/social play.
Perhaps I was not totally clear in my first question. What I meant was where a player throws the ball in by the normal and legal means but as they deliver it their hands rotate to allow them to push the ball forwards with the dominant hand rather than throw it in the traditional manner (as you are coached, with hands on the back of the ball in a W shape). You see the hand come forward palm upwards after the ball is released - like a basketball shot.
I've seen one player who could reach the penalty area from the halfway line on our smallest field this way (he was a semi-pro cricketer and had a good 'arm'). I suppose it is legal but I don't like it as it gives some teams an advantage and often causes some on-field 'debate'. Cheers, Ian

Answer provided by Referee Gene Nagy

Ian, whether you like it or not it makes no difference. The Laws' definition is the real criteria. FYI the Laws state that the ball has to be thrown using two hands. Since the Laws do not say that the two hands must use equal force a spinning ball could still be a legal throw. One of the cricketer's arm may be much stronger than his other one but he is allowed to put that to more use as long as delivers the ball with both hands from behind his head.
I have seen many referees who don't like a spinning ball but they are simply wrong if they call it a foul throw just because it is spinning.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Ian
Some players have the ability of a long throw. I had such a throw which my team used to great advantage. My experience is that it is not about the position of the hands but rather the use of the big muscles in the back to get leverage.
As long as the ball comes from behind and over the head there is nothing wrong with using a dominant hand.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Ian. There is no where in the LOTG a prohibition of a spinning ball at a throw-in. The procedure in Law 15 can be followed and the ball have spin.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Don't make trouble where there isn't any! Since you are already capable of discerning when something is trifling, keep up the good work and do the same here.

Law 15 is very clear - feet on the ground, on or outside the line; both hands on the ball (notice no direction on where on the ball is okay or not okay); come from behind and over the head; from the spot where the ball left the field. If it meets those 5 criteria, it is a good throw. Nothing says it has to be a beautiful throw - an ugly throw can be just as legal.