Question Number: 26847

Law 15 - Throw In 9/26/2012

RE: competitive Adult

Michael of point pleasant, nj usa asks...

This question is a follow up to question 26777

I find no reference in the procedures for the throw-in in the FIFA laws of the game that state that the ball must land in the field of play and am wondering where the interpretation that a ball that bounces outside the line and then crosses into the field of play would be an improper throw-in comes from?

If all the other throw-in components were proper there appears to be no stipulation that the ball must enter the field of play in the air.

I agree that it is a ridiculous situation and that common sense states the interp is correct, but the laws do not seem to support that conclusion.

Procedure

At the moment of delivering the ball, the thrower:
?faces the field of play
?has part of each foot either on the touch line or on the ground outside the touch line
?holds the ball with both hands
?delivers the ball from behind and over his head
?delivers the ball from the point where it left the field of play

All opponents must stand no less than 2 m (2 yds) from the point at which the throw-in is taken.

The ball is in play when it enters the field of play.

After delivering the ball, the thrower must not touch the ball again until it has touched another player.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Michael
I would refer you to page 130 of the current Laws of the Game and I quote
'' If the ball touches the ground before entering the field of play, the throw-in is retaken by the same team from the same position provided that it was taken in line with the correct procedure. If the throw-in is not taken in line with the correct procedure, it is retaken by the opposing team.''
So there you have it.
As a general principle unless I have neutral assistant who can inform me that all of the ball did not touch the plane of the touchline, I make the assumption from the position of the thrower standing on the line that the ball in fact entered the field of play at the point of the throw in and if it subsequently touches the ground outside the field of play I award the the throw in to the opposing team . It ceratinly focusses the thrower on the next throw in to not throw the ball 'as tight' to the touchline.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

There are several things that are not spelled out specifically in the Laws of the Game, but are so much a part of the tradition that 'everybody knows' them. For example, where does it say that if a player is sent off, he cannot be replaced and the team must play down?

Unfortunately the USSF has not published the Interpretations and Guidelines section of the Laws of the Game. This provides a lot of additional information on things that 'everyone knows', but clearly everyone does not know. Ref McHugh quoted the section on the ball hitting the ground before it enters the field of play.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

From the LOTG under Interpretations section under Throw-in:

the ball touches the ground before entering the fi eld of play, the throw-in is
retaken by the same team from the same position provided that it was taken
in line with the correct procedure. If the throw-in is not taken in line with the
correct procedure, it is retaken by the opposing team.

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