Question Number: 27181

Law 15 - Throw In 2/15/2013

RE: travel grade 8 Under 15

Nate of Clevaland, ohio United States asks...

When is a throw in in play?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Law 15 tells us that the ball is in play from a throw-in when it enters the field of play - when any portion of the ball eclipses the outer edge of the line.

Not said, but equally valid, is that the ball has left the hands of the thrower. IFAB, the writer of the Laws, thought that this was one of the things that 'everybody knows'.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

As Ref Voshol states, it's as soon as any portion of the ball is above any portion of the line (assuming it has left the hands and was otherwise taken legally).

Often you'll see a throw in travel down the line and swerve back out before it touches the ground. People always assume this is a retake for not entering the field, but if any part of the ball is above any part of the line then it has entered the field, and in this situation the restart will be a throw in to the opposing team from where it left the field again.

If you don't have assistant referees then you'll probably have to give the players the benefit of the doubt, but if you do then look to your AR to signal direction to let you know what's happened.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Nate
A throw in is in play when any part of the ball touches the plane of the touch line. That happens when the player releases the ball from over his head.
Unless it is so plainly obvious that the ball has not touched the plane of the touchline then the throw in is retaken due to the fact that it did not enter the field of play.