Question Number: 28557

Law 15 - Throw In 6/27/2014

RE: Other

mike kelly of KELOWNA, British Columbia canada asks...

Law 15 throw-in, must be facing field with both feet ON or Behind the line? If the heels are on the line and the feet are on the field, you state this is legal, I disagree. If that is the case, then if a player has his heels on the center line and his feet in the opponents half, when the ball is played to him, then he 'Can Not' be offside, or if part of the ball crosses the goal line,'GOAL'.
Hence your definition must contradict these laws???
I believe the law means, 'on the line or behind the line' and not on the field, this should be simplified by FIFA.
Frustrated,
Mike Kelly

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Mike: FIFA has clarified over the years that if any part of each foot is touching any part of the line, the requirement of law 15 is met. Where you are reading something that is not there is the belief that the thrower must be off the field. Law 15 does not require that.

There is no inconsistency with the goal line or the penalty area. Law 1 instructs that the lines are part of the area they border. If any part of the ball is on or above the goal line, it is still on the field of play. If on or above any part of the penalty area, the keeper may handle it.

Where you are correct about an inconsistency, however, is offside position. Someone whose foot is astride the halfway line is technically in both halves of the field. But, the tradition has been that the player is considered in the opponent's half for purpose of offside position. (Some of this is resolved, however, by the notion that if the referee is not sure about position the flag should stay down. So, the toes across the line scenario is often more in hypothetical questions than real life decisions.)

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mike
The throw in is designed to be a simple way of restarting play when the ball has crossed a touchline. Law 15 tells us that the player'' has part of each foot either on the touch line or on the ground outside the touch line''. The understanding throughout the world is that if a player has his heels on the line that is satisfactory as he has PART of his foot ON the line. The Law does not say he has to have his feet behind the line say like in tennis.
As regards contractions in the Laws there are many which have been commented on at times on the site. Each Law is unique with a long history. For instance Law 16 and 17 were at one time part of the same Law. Some parts are not spelled out specifically but understood.