Question Number: 26351

Law 15 - Throw In 5/17/2012

RE: Select Under 17

Bill Mac of St. Louis, Missouri USA asks...

Regarding Law 15 Throw Ins: With long throw-in specialists becoming more common, has there been any guidance issued on what is allowed to defend them. Rule states that opponenet needs to be at least 2yds away and later states unfairly distracting or impeding thrower is cautionable. If at least 2yds away can defend similar to basketball inboud play--ie. jumping and/or moving side to side if keep proper distance from thrower? Refs seem to have different viewpoints on this sometimes even moving stationary players back beyond 2yds.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Bill
The place to defend the long throw in is at the drop zone not interfering with the thrower. A referee would deem that a defender, who is 3 / 5 yards away from a throw in, jumping up and down is unfairly distracting the thrower. Beyond that point and the player only jumps up to intercept the ball in the air is fair game but that is not going to happen on a long throw.
Personally I would allow a player to stand at 2/3 yards but he won't be allowed to do anything else.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

No. The throw-in may not be hindered by a defender even if more than two yards away from the touchline. The type of action seen in basketball (jumping, extending arms and feet to deflect the ball, moving side-to side) would be punished as unsporting behavior.