Question Number: 26724

Law 15 - Throw In 9/6/2012

RE: Select

Todd Wendorf of Marysville, PA United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 26663

Law 15 says nothing about spikes being illegal. I would agree that if the 'spike' is directed toward an opponent in a malicious manner, then the throw-in may be legal but the action is Striking and potentially a Send-Off offense. Am I missing something in the Law???

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Nope, you're just missing something in tradition.

From Advice to Referees 15.3:
'A throw-in directed straight downward (often referred to as a 'spike') has traditionally been regarded as not correctly performed; if, in the opinion of the referee such a throw-in was incorrectly performed, the restart should be awarded to the opposing team.'

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Todd
This is what is called 'implicit knowledge'. Law 15 is written simply yet most if not all referees would not allow a spike throw in and that is the situation throughout the world.
In the US the ATR spells it out more clearly as outlined by my colleague Referee Voshol.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Yes. A spike is by tradition considered an improper throw. The Advice to Referees is an important and authoritative resource for referees in the US.

If the referee judges that the thrower used excessive force to strike an opponent with the ball, the result may also be a sendoff offense.