Question Number: 30220

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 3/25/2016

Bill of Guilford, CT United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 30216

First, thank you for your responses!

Second, what a wonderful resources to have available to referees.

Third, I completely understand the practical aspect of this- teach youth, is it bad intent, etc.

At the regional level I got an earful for allowing this 'head facing the ground' approach (all other throw-in conditions appropriate) as it did not adhere to this law:

- delivers the ball from behind and over his/her head

I suppose the literal interpretation must be focused on the word 'and' in this statement. The ball must start behind the head and be released over the head. Not an 'or' statement where the ball could be released behind the head OR over the head. Does the group feel as though by letter of the law AND comes into play?

Again, MANY thanks to the community for allowing me the opportunity to discuss this.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Bill
Thanks for your comments.
Many times we all get earfuls for allowing doubtful situations to proceed on throw ins. There is not a game that I do that any questionable action is challenged with a shout of foul throw ref. My reply is always *nothing wrong there*.
Now the word AND is important as both elements have to be present. If a player has his head facing down yet the ball is behind his head then it has to be over to be released. There is nothing wrong other than it might looks *wrong*. Different is not wrong.
The other way to approach this is to be ultra strict and punish any different TI that appear not to conform to the norm. I know a few referees who are picky about TIs and they do punish outliers them constantly. Once turnovers starts then they have to be consistent so unless the players change the manner of the TIs there is a lot of turn overs.

Answer provided by Referee MrRef

Hello Bill,
you are welcome! Letting others know we exist is another way to reward us as well.
Those who mark you in assessment and are critical to your advancement up the ladder do have power over you! They can choose to go all techy on your butt whether or not we here agree or disagree to its importance. It might be in your best interest to best heed their administrative input if you want to advance up the ranks under their supervision.

I hold the opinion we realistically need to remember the game is about the kids having have fun not about a referee with the power to award the ball to the opposing team on a technicality those playing have no idea they compromised because their eyes are not directly facing the field but the ground or their arms continue past the head and drop the ball rather than throw it! Like trying to teach interpretation to deliberate handling, some will see what the want, no matter what is, or the need to see it as anything at all.

from our pitch to your pitch in the spirit of fair play