Question Number: 25664

Law 15 - Throw In 10/25/2011

RE: Club, high school, select, competitive, etc. High School

Rob K. of Philadelphia, PA USA asks...

Mr. Ref-

Myself and several other (self identified...HA) advanced coaches and referees recently had this at a high school match: one of my boys slipped on the wet grass when he went to throw the ball in and his throw in was definitely bad (he came across his head in a diagonal angle and with an irregular motion and he released the ball (hey, he slipped) but the ball never entered the field of play (yeah, it was that bad). The one referee ruled it a bad throw-in and declared a change of possession. Since he was right in front of me with the 2-man PIAA system and he's a buddy of mine I quietly said 'I don't think that's right...??' But I admitted I wasn't sure. So after the match we all discussed it and we truly weren't sure if it could be declared a bad throw-in. I said it should not be because the ball never entered the field of play. So we are wondering who is right on this. There is no money on the line, just ball busting and bragging rights. Please help.

Thanks,

Rob K.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

If this was a high school game played under NFHS rules, whenever the ball does not enter the field it is a throw-in for the opponents. This is because some players were deliberately 'missing' the field with throws, and the referee could not add time on to compensate. In a game played under FIFA/USSF, it matters whether the throw was good or bad. The Laws of the Game state on page 128, '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. If the throw-in is not taken in line with the correct procedure, it is retaken by the opposing team.'

But let's show some common sense here. Was it really a throw-in, or was it a slip-n-fall? Just as USSF tells us to discern when a free kick has actually been taken, we should discern when a throw has actually been taken. If it can clearly be seen to be a slip, let him try again.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

This is one area where high school rules differ from the laws of the game.

A correctly performed throw-in that does not enter the field is an infringement under high school rules and the restart is a throw-in to the opposing team. (My spies tell me that the reason was to address wasting time by intentionally making foul throws. A good referee could stop the abuse with a single, clock-stopping caution.)

It would be a do-over under the laws of the game.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

In high school games, if the ball never enters the field of play it's considered a foul throw and a throw is awarded the other team. In the rest of the world it's a retake.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Rob
In a NFHS game the throw in as it has not entered the filed of play is deemed to be illegal and it is turned over to the opponents.
In a USSF/FIFA game the answer depends on whether the throw was taken in line with the correct procedure. It it was then the thrown in is retaken. If it is not then the thrown in is turned over.
I might add that if the referee uses his discretion and he believes that the player's action was a genuine slip etc causing the ball not to enter then IMO there is nothing wrong with saying ' We will have that throw in again'.
I had occasion recently to allow a retake on a TI when the ball slipped out of a player's hands like a bar of soap. I just asked for the TI again with little complaint.