Question Number: 28111

Law 15 - Throw In 1/15/2014

RE: Under 19

Karki of Lalitpur, Lalitpur Nepal asks...

Can a player bend his knees while taking a throw-in? Like from a squatting or semi-squatting position ?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Karki
Law 15 is mute on the exact point. It only requires that the thrower is facing the field of play with both feet on the ground either on or behind the line. However in the throw-in procedure there is a good deal of 'tacit knowledge' required to determine a correct throw or not. It is expected that the player must be standing and while many referees will allow an element of knee bending, squatting would not be allowed. The method will attract howls of 'foul throw referee' and many will probably agree.
If one looks at the 'flip throw' closely there is a strong element of knee bend in it. However at the moment of release the player is facing the field of play, the ball is delivered from over the head and the player ending up in an upright position.
What is for certain the TI cannot be taken from a kneeling position.