Question Number: 26015

Law 15 - Throw In 2/28/2012

RE: Comp Adult

William Ocampo of Houston, TX USA asks...

Two questions regarding illegal and improper thow-ins:
1) the player has one foot inside the field for a throw-in; is this an improper or illegal throw-in?
2) Years ago FIFA's ruling for players the advance too far for a throw-in, possesiion reverted to the opposing team for a throw-in. What's the call now for players advancing too far on throw-ins?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi William
1. The player must have both feet either behind the line or touching the line. Once a foot is completely over the line that is an incorrectly taken thrown in and the throw in is taken by the opponents.
2. On any incorrectly taken throw in the throw is turned over to the opponents. That is the way it has always been. If a throw in is taken from the wrong location that is an incorrectly taken throw in.
In the professional game referees have been lax in enforcing the law that the throw in should be taken from where the ball left the field of play. You will note that the opponents rarely complain about this as both side do it.
Referees should be proactive in this matter and instruct players the correct location from where to take the throw in from. Leeway of a yard in either direction would be acceptable

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

If any part of foot is on any part of the line it is a legal position for the throw.

If a player throws the ball into play from a spot further than one yard from where it exited the field, it is an illegal throw. The ball is then awarded to the other team for a throw from where it originally left the field. While a referee might consider a spot slightly more than a yard away as trifling, it is a slippery slope best not traversed.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 26076