Question Number: 25079

Law 15 - Throw In 6/9/2011

RE: Premier Under 15

Bob Olmsted of New Milford, CT USA asks...

I watch girls use the flip throw technic to get longer throw in. But it is rare that they stick the landing perfectly. They flip throw the ball in but tend to take a hop after the throw in. Why would this be any different than a normal throw in. If after fliping and throwing the ball in the girls hops she is not keeping both feet on the ground shouldn't this be an illegal throw?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

No. After the ball is released on any kind of throw-in, the player taking the throw may lift one or both feet. Both feet must be on the ground with at least part of each foot on or behind the touch line until the ball is released.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Bob
This type of throw in is rare and not something that referees don't see very often. If all the conditions attached to Law 15 are met then the throw is legal. I believe that the mechanics of this method require that both feet are on the ground for it to work properly and that the ball is released before there is any movement of the feet. That makes it legal.
If you look at these videos you will see that the ball is well away from the players before they move their feet forward. That is no different from a legal throw.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CfZ3QC8ASk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcNa4sAwukk

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Once the ball leaves the hands, we don't care where the feet go. Only up until the ball leaves the hands do we pay attention to the feet, the hands, the touchline, etc.

Once the ball leaves the hands and enters the field, it is in play. The player should be returning to the field at this point, so hopping, skipping, running or jumping are all acceptable ways to make it back onto the field.