Question Number: 25142

Law 15 - Throw In 6/27/2011

RE: Adult Recreation Adult

Joseph Andes of Newberry, FL USA asks...

In a recent game, a player with both feet, stepped over the line, paused, and completed the throw in. This was obviously a bad throw-in. So I awarded the other team the ball. A question was raised in good humor, that the player was on the field before he made the throw in, so should he have been allowed to have a redo because, he never started correctly?

Note this was an adult team, over 40, with more years of experience than your typical team. I know I made the right call, but say it was maybe a 10U team, would it be more proper to allow a redo?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Some U-Little rules allow for a redo on a bad throw in - my area does for U6 and U8, but not U10. Check your local rule modifications, but don't make up your own modifications.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Joseph
As described this was most definitely an incorrectly taken throw in and the restart is a throw in to the opponents. Some over 40s want to rewrite the Law methinks!!
At U Littles the game is about having fun and teaching the Laws. I'm in the fortunate situation that local rules do not exist on TIs and I always go with a retake on the basis of education. I insist that the same player takes it not his 'expert' team mate. Also if its close to a good throw I allow it as I don't want to be stopping for every questionable throw in.
Do what is 'right' for the game at U Little

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The referee always has the option to hold up a throw - - usually exercised when the referee wants to establish that the throw-in must be taken back where the ball crossed the touchline.

On many of our local turf field (used for many sports) there can be four sets of lines parallel to the throw-in. When someone is on the field, and clearly taking a throw-in behind the wrong line, the referee can hold up the throw and alert the player of the correct touch line.

But, if the referee chooses not to hold up the throw, there is no do-over (for all but u-littles). A foul throw results in a throw-in for the other team.