Question Number: 27922

Law 15 - Throw In 10/22/2013

RE: Competitive Adult

Laurie Warner of Sydney, NSW Australia asks...

This question is a follow up to question 27826

Probably just a follow-up on my previous question about throw-ins being taken a yard/metre behind the touch-line. I get the concept that a yard/metre or two up or down the line or back-from it is OK but I coach 150 referees and they ask me 'where is it in the rules?'. I found a reference in USSF's 'Advice to Referees' which says it has to be 'a yard'. Anyone have any other good sources that I can show the people I teach ?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Laurie
Tell them to read Law 17 where it says '' At the moment of delivering the ball, the thrower:......
''delivers the ball from the point where it left the field of play''
It can't be any clearer than that and they are being given a little latitude in implemeting that. If they don't want to use the 1 yard then stick to point where it left the field of play.
Also if one compares it to Law 13 where it says that a free kick ''is taken from the place where the offence occurred'' does anyone question that a player can take it a yard away from the location of the foul? We don't look for the exact blade of grass and the principle is the same?
What it does highlight to me is the growing body of opinion that if it not written down it can't be right or can be argued. I have seen countless arguments about literal interpretations of the Law and those that argue about "that's not what is written in the Laws".
A recent example is whether a ball can be moving on a goal kick. The Law simply says "The ball is kicked from any point within the goal area by a player of the defending team" and the attorney referees say it does not say stationary like it does in Law 13 so it can be moving. I say to them "Okay allow the GK to punt it and see how you get on".
Perhaps IFAB need to re-introduce Law 5 Decision 8
" 'The Laws of the Game are intended to provide that games should be played with as little interference as possible, and in this view it is the duty of referees to penalize only deliberate breaches of the Law. Constant whistling for trifling and doubtful breaches produces bad feeling and loss of temper on the part of the players and spoils the pleasure of spectators.'"

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Laurie,

The laws are actually very clear on the location - they state, as Ref McHugh quoted, that the throw must be taken where the ball left the field of play. Black and white.

If you couple that with the advice in the back where it states that referees should not concern themselves with trifling breaches of the law, then the only question is 'how far can they move before it isn't trifling?'

That's where 1 yard generally comes into it.

What a lot of players (and referees) don't realise is that taking it 5 yards back is just as bad as taking it 5 yards in front.

Why is that? Well, they wouldn't be taking it off the spot if they weren't getting something out of it, would they? Usually it's a quick throw to somebody in space - but if taking it back from the spot enables them to do so, then the incorrect spot is making a significant impact upon the game.

So considering you're being questioned over whether we even need to enforce a vague location of the throw in, it may be worthwhile emphasising with your branch that behind the mark is just as bad as in front of it.