Question Number: 26597

Law 15 - Throw In 8/4/2012

RE: Rec Adult

John Edwards of Windham, Maine United States asks...

have been watching a lot of the Woman's Olympic Soccer and have noticed a lot of throw ins where the player has one or both feet on the touch lines. Is this an international rule difference or should they be called for this? Thanks for the clarification

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

The law states that both feet must be on or behind the line (not just behind the line, as many people think).

So having a foot or two on the touch line is fine. It's even permissible to have the majority of the foot on the field and just the heel on the line.

It's when an entire foot enters the field that an offence has been committed.

This is written into the laws of the game - so across all ages and grades, the law is the same.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The playing rules for the Olympics are the laws of the game. Stepping on the touchline is permitted at a throw in under Law 15.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi John
The Olympic Games are being played by the Laws of the Game. It is only an incorrectly taken throw in when all of the foot is over the touchline.
If any part of the foot is touching any part of the line that is legal.