Question Number: 27170

Law 15 - Throw In 2/11/2013

RE: Rec Other

Len Turner of Satellite Beach, Florida Brevard asks...

Why is it that sometimes, when a throw-in
is necessary, the player will take the ball to the sideline, and get prepared to throw in the ball, only to have another player take the ball from him and make the throw in?

Who decides 'who' is going to make the 'throw-in'?

Thanks

A 'limey' away from home, but so pleased that soccer( football) gets such great coverage in the US.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Len
This is a team decision. Sometimes a player may decide to take a quick throw in but then changes his mind based on his opinion that the 'planned' throw in is the best option for the team.
An example would be where say a full back normally takes throw in on his side 'up the line' and a midfielder may just be positioned to take a quick restart. When he weighs up the options he may then decide to go with the 'tactical' throw planned by the team. However if the action is done to delay the restart then the player should be cautioned for delaying the restart of play.
A recent example I noticed was in a Manchester United game where Giggs got the ball in the throw in position and he thought about a quick restart even motioning the ball behind his head. When he weighed up the options he decided not to take the throw but instead tossed the ball to Evra who would normally take throw ins on that side in that position. As the TI was taken reasonably quickly and it was a genuine attempt to catch the opponents off guard the referee did not see any wrong and play continued. Neither did the opponents have a problem with the change of thrower who were probably pleased that they had stopped the quick throw in due to their marking of players.
However compare that with a similar situation in added time and to run the clock down before restarting a player goes to take the throw in, takes the usual time appearing to take a throw-in and then leaves the ball to one of his teammates to take. That is clearly delaying the restart of play for which the player should be cautioned.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The players decide. If they see an opportunity for a quick attack, the nearest player may take it. If not, teams practice how to set up a throw-in so that there is coverage behind the thrower (in case of interception), and movement in front of the thrower (for an attack). Finally, some teams have a player who can throw very far and when the throw is in the attacking third of the field, that player may move over to throw the ball into the penalty area.