Question Number: 28492

Law 15 - Throw In 6/11/2014

RE: Recreational Adult

Russell montgomery of Sydney, New South Wales Australia asks...

This question is a follow up to question 28482

Often with throw ins the ball is delivered rather softly and travels only around 4-5 yards/metres, whereby the opposition call for a foul.
I dismiss the request advising the mechanics of the throw was good - irrespective of the distance it travels. Am I correct on this.
Also, what if a player in making the throw bends excessively forward yet still releases the ball from above the head - but it travels in a downward path due to the bending of the upper body. Is this legal?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Many throw-ins are ugly, but they aren't illegal. Don't look to penalize something that looks bad. Worry about things that give the player an extra advantage (such as a longer distance throw).

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Russell
A 'soft' throw as long as it is not dropped and meets the requirements of Law 15 should not be penalised. As regards the bending down one I would be less tolerant of that one as it will look like a spike throw which is illegal.
The important part is to remain consistent and to only punish the ones that are blatantly wrong such as clearly from the wrong place, on the field of play, 'dropping' the ball etc.
Different, weak or ugly is not necessarily illegal.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

A spike (throwing the ball straight down) is by tradition deemed by foul throw. Most everything else is 'ugly, but legal.'

My favorite part about recreational matches, is that while an opponent is yelling foul throw, his teammate usually has already intercepted the ball.