Question Number: 27150

Law 15 - Throw In 2/2/2013

RE: HS Under 16

Steve of Zachary, LA US asks...

I've been watching what I believe are illegal throw ins all season. Girls start the ball in front of the body and in a oval motion bring the ball back over their right shoulder to behind their head and continue back over their head with the throw in. If the throw has to start behind the head, this should not be allowed, correct?

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Steve,

The laws specify that the throw must come over the head and from behind the head - they don't specify how the ball gets behind the head.

What I've seen, which I think is what you're describing, is players pulling the ball back almost beside their head, until it's behind their head then delivering it over the head.

This is legal - it's the delivery itself that's important, not how the ball gets behind the head.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Steve
The Law does not specify how the ball gets behind the player's head just that the ball is delivered from behind and over the head.
As a referee I look at many throw in motions and some look 'different' but not illegal. Those throws because they are different usually attract calls of 'Foul Throw Ref' which I ignore or say 'Nothing wrong there'.
The throw in is a simple way of restarting the game. For me the important parts are that both feet are on the line or behind, that the ball comes from behind the head not from the front and that the ball is not dropped.
The most common incorrectly taken throw in is the ball that is dropped or at underage players jumping to get distance.
As regards this throwing motion by girls you mention I don't read anything wrong in what you describe. I'm not sure the reason for taking the ball over the shoulder in this manner other than perhaps habit, see others doing it, fear of dropping the ball etc
There is certainly no advantage being gained by it and I suspect most refs simply allow play to continue.