Question Number: 24857

Law 15 - Throw In 4/27/2011

RE: rec Under 15

Graham of Torono, Canada asks...

I've understood that for a throw in to be legal, the player must have both feet on or behind the touchline. Are any parts of the player's feet allowed to be inside the field of play? i.e. could a player stand with his or her feet on the line, with their toes (or front of the boot) protruding onto the field of play? I've also believed that to be a fould throw but at a recent seminar, I was told otherwise.

Thanks.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Graham
Law 15 states that one of the requirements for a legal throw in is that the player has part of each foot either on the touch line or on the ground outside the touch line
As long as any part of the thrower's feet is touching the line that is legal. So a player could have his heels on the line with the majority of the feet over the line on the field of play and that is perfectly legal.
However if the player was to go up on the toes in that situation that makes it illegal as then no part of the foot is behind or touching the line.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Touching part of the line with the heel is enough. It looks odd but it is lawful.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

You were told correctly coach. ANY part of each foot must be on the touchline or in touch. That is to say even if just a fraction of each heel is on the touchline, the rest of the foot may be on the field of play.