Question Number: 26950

Law 15 - Throw In 10/27/2012

RE: Select Under 15

Geoffrey Raymond of Goleta, California United States asks...

Can a player throwing the ball in advance the ball 10-15 yards down the field before throwing the ball into play?

In our game today, the opposing team would get a throw in. Starting at the point where the ball went out of bounds, the player would run down the sidelines 10-15 yards and then throw the ball in. As a result, they could cover as much as 2/3 of the field on a single throw in. Is this legal?

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

On a throw in, the ball must be released within one yard of where the ball exited the field.

This is something that is emphasized in referee training. It is unfair and unlawful to let the players do the throw-in ten yards further up the touchline. The referee should be quick to put a stop to it.

Note: it is proper for the player to start the run up to the throw-in well behind the correct location so long as the ball is released into play at the proper place.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Geoffrey
I suspect you know the answer to this and no this is not legal. Does it happen? Yes because the law is not enforced fully on either side. A viewing of high level games will show that the throw in is rarely taken from the location where the ball left the field of play. Having said that it would rarely be 15 yards yet teams just deal with it as it works both ways. It should not be the case but it happens.
What happens is that the referee grants a litlle bit of leeway early in the game on throw in locations and before he knows it the throw in are taken further away from the correct location. The thrower could also be those long run up throwers. There is no problem about starting the run up well back fom the location of the throw as long as the TI is delivered close to the correct location.
I suspect when it was happening during the game that the referee was informed about this and it is up to the referee to ensure that the TI is taken from the correct location.
I know in our Leagues the referee is quickly told by a chorus of calls about the thrower 'stealing' yards or coaches pointing to TI location. That always brings an end to it as the referee does not want to have this 'chorus' on every single TI. Some referees are better than other. Surprising what a the effect that a turnover throw in can have on the behaviour of the throwers.