Question Number: 25762

Law 15 - Throw In 11/21/2011

RE: pro Adult

Kurauone of harare, harare zimbabwe asks...

A player takes a throw -in from a goal line near the corner arch. is it considered a foul throw?

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

I've only seen this happen with very young players who do not know the game. They should be told the correct procedure.

With experienced players, it is likely that the referee would try to hold up the throw and direct the player to the touchline. Moreover, players are permitted a meter or so from the spot where the ball crossed the touchline. It is possible for a player to be behind both the touchline and the goal line at a proper throw-in.

But, the technical answer to your question is that the referee may consider a throw-in that is taken from an improper location to be an infringement of Law 15, and to award a throw-in (at the correct location) to the opposing team.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Kurauone
I have been involved in soccer for a very long time and I have never seen a player take a throw in from behind the goal line. A much more common issue is that players 'steal' yards up the touchline from the corner arc to gain an advantage.
Anyway the ball must be thrown from the touchline from the point where the ball left the field of play. An allowance of a yard in either direction would be acceptable
Under the laws of the game a throw in that is taken from the wrong location is an incorrectly taken throw in and the throw in is awarded to the opposing team.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The throw-in must be taken from the touch line not the goal line. I likewise have never seen this happen