Question Number: 25229

Law 15 - Throw In 7/18/2011

RE: Competitive

Daniel Ornelas of San Jose, CA USA asks...

I have been watching throw-in technique by our current professional players and in the WWC. I noticed players are regularly not putting the ball completely behind their head and every throw-in is in a standing position. My question is have referees become more lenient with technique on throw-ins? It appears sloppier than what it used to be?
What approach should we take as far as judging how far behind the head does the ball need to be?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The throw-in is simply a method of restarting play. Referees should not be looking to call bad throws; often times there are much more important matters to view. Once the players progress beyond the u-little stage and have learned the mechanics, only the worst throws should be called bad. A sloppy or ugly throw-in is not necessarily a bad throw-in.

Most referees will consider that if a portion of the ball is behind the center-line of the head, then the ball was behind the head.

When throw-in techniques give the thrower some kind of unfair advantage, it should be called. Examples would be techniques that unfairly increase the distance on throws, or throws taken from incorrect positions that deceive the opponents.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Daniel
The correct throw in requires an element of implicit knowledge. If I was coaching players I would advise them to ensure that the arms are fully bent and that the ball is fully behind the head. A referee if he is doubt or the opponents question the legality could decide in the throw in being turned over

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Very few throw-ins are foul. The ball needs to be thrown from behind and over the head using two arms. It matters not at all how far behind the head the ball went or the exact millisecond the ball was released. Absent some disadvantage to an opponent, any infringement is doubtful or trifling.

Referees would do well to focus on two things from the throw: (a) is it from the correct place? Too often, we let players steal ten to fifteen yards up the line from where the ball left play; and (b) was there a disadvantage to the opponent from a throw improperly taken. Usually, if both feet are not on the ground, the ball can be thrown much further.