Question Number: 25645

Law 15 - Throw In 10/22/2011

RE: Rec Under 13

dvs of Plainwell, Michigan USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 24302

On a throw in when exactly is the ball in play?

We had a situation where a player took a throw in , the ball clearly hit the touch line then went out. I awarded a TI to the other team with the reasoning TI - > ball in play - > ball out of play

However other refs think it was never in play .

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
When the ball breaks the plane of the touchline it is in play. The advice on Law 15 is that if the ball touches the ground before entering the field of play, the throw-in is retaken by the same team from the same position provided that it was taken in line with the correct procedure.
In this case the ball has entered the field of play and has then left the field of play again. The throw in is awarded to the other team from where it left the field of play.
The only way that it is retaken is where the ball has not broken the plane of the touch line or where it has touched the ground before entering the field of play.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Law 15 says, 'The ball is in play when it enters the field of play.' In order to enter the field, the ball only has to cross the outside edge of the line, either on the ground or in the air. What is left out of the Laws is that obviously the ball must also have been released from the thrower's hands. This could happen before or after the ball crosses the line.

So in your game when the ball hit on the line, it was in play. It then immediately went out of play again, so it was a throw-in to the opponents of the team that touched it last. The player that took the throw was the last touch.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

You were correct. Nice call.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

They have to buy the next round! Once the ball breaks the plane of the field, the ball is in play (assuming it has left the hands of the thrower). Once it is in play, if it leaves the field again over the touchline, it is a throw-in for the other team. Your cohorts should know this, so be sure they are educated, please?