Question Number: 25384

Law 15 - Throw In 9/1/2011

RE: Select Under 15

mark of Renton, WA 98058 asks...

What does the rule state regarding the correct way to throw the ball in. I know that both feet have to be on or behind the line - but what is the rule pertaining to 'bringing the ball back over your head' I have seen a lot of inconsistencies with regards to this. Some refs claim you have to bring it back 'behind your ears' others don't call it if they just kind of push it from their forehead. What is the rule?

Thanks
Mark

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Law 15 simply says that the player 'delivers the ball from behind and over his head.' As you note, there are different interpretations by different refs as to how far behind the head this means.

In reality, the throw-in is just a simple way of putting the ball back into play. When the kids are very young, you want to be fairly strict so that they can learn how to do it. (Some youth rules, such as at U8 in my area, may allow a do-over so that kids can learn.) But once they get older, just get the game moving. It has to be pretty bad for me to call it a bad throw. Unless the player gains something from a suspect technique, the ball is in play. Besides, I often have something more important to look at than scrutinizing the throw-in technique too closely.

I regard 'behind the head' to mean behind the vertical plane that intersects the midpoint of the head. Others may place that plane behind the rearmost part of the head. And as you have seen, a few refs require the ball to go completely behind the head. There is no definitive standard passed down from on high.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The ball has to be thrown from behind and over the head, using both hands. There is no behind the ears or past the forehead rule. Most throw ins - - even the ones that look very awkward -- are completely lawful. Many players, spectators, and some referees fret way too much about the form of the throw in - - it rarely makes a difference in the match, and way too little about the location of the throw in - - which usually makes a big difference.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mark
If I had a dollar for every time I heard 'Foul throw Ref' I would have a nice little nest egg of money by now. The throw in is a simple way of restarting play after the ball crosses the touchline.
Law 15 states that the player delivers the ball from behind and over his head. The referee is the sole judge of that action and there is an element of implicit knowledge in that. However there will be times that the throwing action looks different and that causes the opponents to look for a turnover of the TI. It might look different but if the main principles are followed most referees allow play to continue.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Remember that the throw-in is merely a method to get the ball back into play quickly. By U15, almost all deviations from the proper procedure are trifling and overlooked by the referee crew