Question Number: 26957

Law 15 - Throw In 10/29/2012

RE: youth to H.S., amature adult Adult

alex of crownsville , maryland usa asks...

This question is a follow up to question 26777

Just a fine tuning question on this matter.
....In the case where the player doing the throw-in, while having both feet centered on the touchline, I believe the following: If the ball is delivered from behind and released over the head (or even in front of the head), the ball must, as a matter of course, released from the hands while over the touchline and/or the field of play. Therefore it is in play as soon as it is released. If it bounces directly on the field or the line, then, of course it is in play. If it first strikes the ground out of play, then I beleave that there should be a restart with the opposing team having the throw in. Is this correct?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Alex
Once the ball touches or breaks the plane of the line in the air it is in play and if the ball subsequently leaves the field of play the throw in awarded to the opponents from where the ball left the FOP.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Yes and no. Your tagline indicates youth to high school. In youth games that are run under FIFA rules, if the ball strikes the ground out of play before entering the field of play, it's a retake of the throw for the team that took the throw.
In games run under the auspices of the NFHS it is a foul throw and a throw-in is awarded the opponents