Question Number: 26979

Law 15 - Throw In 11/5/2012

RE: travel Under 16

Marc of deptford, nj usa asks...

During a thrown-in. If the ball lands out after it is thrown but then bounces into the field of play is it a live ball or is the throw taken again.
I know if it lands in then goes out its the other teams thrown & if it never enters the field of play the thrown is retaken.
Curious if it lands out of play after it is thrown then goes into play what happens

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

It no part of the ball crosses over or on the touchline and then hits the ground outside of the field, the ball is not in play no matter what happens next.

If the throw-in is otherwise proper in form (hands, feet, location, etc) , the restart is to repeat the throw-in. If improper in form, the restart is a throw-in for the opponents.

Note: high school (NFHS) and college (NCAA) rules are different. There, it is always a throw-in for the opponents.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Marc
if the ball does not cross the plane of the touchline and then touches the ground the throw in is retaken.
If the ball crosses the plane of the line after the throw in and then leaves the field of play again the throw in is taken by the opponents where it left the FOP ie where it crossed the line as it left the FOP.