Question Number: 26158

Law 15 - Throw In 4/8/2012

RE: Grade 8 High School

Paul Pooley of Durham, NC USA asks...

Trying to think this through: Long thrower who starts her run properly, has her front (left) foot down, the back foot comes forward in the air but is on the ground when she releases the ball. She's not so much dragging the toe as skimming above the ground, but both feet are down when the ball is released. Arms are proper at all times.

Legal throw?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

If both feet are down at the time the ball is released, it is a proper throw-in. The foot can come off the ground after the throw has been completed.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Paul
As described that is a legal throw as both feet are on the ground at the time of the throw. What does happen is that some referees do not like players that continue their normal run action as part of the throw in. These referees believe that one foot must be off the ground at the time of the release which makes it an incorrectly taken throw in.
You will see some long throwers make a deliberate foot drag action to show the fact that both feet are on the ground at the point of the throw to deal with any possible opinion by the referee that a back foot is off the ground.
I know one referee who will not allow players to walk / run at a throw in and it is a turn over ever single time. Players who know this amend their action accordingly.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Lawful throw. The moment of release is the time to measure the location of the feet. Moreover, whenever the referee isn't sure, the infringement is doubtful and should be ignored.