Question Number: 26330

Law 15 - Throw In 5/13/2012

RE: Intermediate Under 12

Phil of Tarzana, CA United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 26314

I'm a little surprised by the answers. While I can't see the advantage in throwing from a squatting position, any change would require someone to be the first one to try it.

I thought the handspring throw-in is permitted, although I'm sure it brought head scratching the first time someone tried it. And Rene Huigita invented the 'scorpion kick' (which I realize isn't a restart, but sure must have looked unusual).

I guess I'm wondering why you would look for an infringement that wasn't in the LOTG, when it seems to be more of an innovation in a 'player's game'?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Phil
It is up to each individual referee to make his / her own decisions. If someone tries it and the referee allows it in that game so be it. That is the ref's call if he believes that all the conditions of Law 15 have been met. Plenty will disagree with him.
The next 999 refs might not allow it and turn the throw in over to the opponents.
A throw-in directed straight downward often called a 'spike' has traditionally been viewed as not correctly taken. That is also not in the Laws and that is the tacit knowledge that I referred to in my answer.
As regards the handspring throw in it has all of the ' illegal action' just before the TI so when the ball is actually thrown the player is facing the field of play, the ball is behind the head, the player is standing and the ball is released properly from behind the head. That makes it legal IMO. However I know some refs who will not allow it and that is their decision to make.
What is certain is that the 'regular' throw in will never be punished whereas a throw in that deviates significantly from the 'norm' more than likely will be punished and that is the choice players have to make.
I know that when a player squats down to take a throw in will result a turnover in any game that I officiate in and most if not all present will agree with that call.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I tend to agree although I would wonder why anyone would want to take a throw in this manner.