Question Number: 28235

Law 15 - Throw In 3/6/2014

RE: Travel Under 17

Robert Petricca of N. Tonawanda, NY USA asks...

Can a throw in be taken from a kneeling position? FIFA rules state that both feet must be on the ground which is the case in a kneeling position. I only ask because a player questioned it while attempting to quickly restart the match by throwing in off a shorter player on the pitch in a non malicious fashion. So in order to not fouls he got onto both knees to throw in but along with knees feet were also firmly fixed to the ground. Is this acceptable? The rule does NOT state only the feet can be on the ground dies it?

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Robert,

There are a number of things which are left out of the laws (for the purposes of keeping it relatively simple) which are just taken as given. For instance, the Laws Of The Game don't explicitly state that a player who has been sent cannot return to the match - before the LOTG were simplified in the mid-90s they specified this, and it's considered one of those things that doesn't need to be said.

So you're right that the LOTG don't specifically state that the thrower must be standing - in that case, we need to consider whether it would be one of those things that is just assumed, and consider the spirit of the law.

I think it's reasonably to argue that the writers of the laws assumed that the player would be standing - especially when you consider that kneeling (and if you allow kneeling, why not sitting?) could have a big impact upon the throw, as it allows a significantly different trajectory.

Therefore, I would argue that a player cannot take a throw-in without standing, but the law could be open to interpretation.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Robert
Simple answer is that a player cannot kneel while taking a throw in.
The clearest answer we had was in the former official FIFA Questions and Answers which were an attachment to the Laws of the Game up until 2006.
In 2006 the following was quoted
'' Is a player allowed to take a throw-in kneeling or sitting down?
No. A throw-in is only permitted if the correct procedures in the Laws of the Game are followed.''

Nothing as changed in the throw in procedure since 2006 so by implied knowledge it is not allowed and referees will know that. Players are expected to stand facing the field of play with part of each foot either on the touch line or on the ground outside the touch line.

Might I also say that the timing and run of the receiving player is a coaching point so that the player does not come so close that the ball has to be dropped rather than thrown and that the player no matter what size, with good timing, is the appropriate distance away to still take the ball with his feet from the throw. That eliminates the need for the thrower to do anything unusual such to kneel or sit down