Question Number: 30728

Law 15 - Throw In 9/7/2016

RE: Intermediate Under 13

Phil of Tarzana, CA United States asks...

Law 15.1 (throw-in) now specifically says the ball must be thrown with both hands. The explanation says this is to prevent a one handed throw with the other hand just guiding.

In the past, some referees would penalize a throw-in where the ball spun sideways, which occurs when the force is unequally applied. Others felt it was OK, as long as both hands were used.

Under the new law, would a side ways spinning ball be evidence of a one handed throw (& illegal)?

Thanks again for all the advice.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Phil
No there is no law that says both hands must apply equal force. What we are preventing is a grenade lob type action. There is nothing that says how hard or how far a ball must travel.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Phil
Keep it simple. If the player has both hands on the ball and it comes directly over his head then that is all that is required. Yes spin was seen as a tell tale sign when the law required that both hands were USED. The new law is to prevent the one handed throw with the 2nd hand used as a guide only.
Not sure of the genesis of this change as I have not seen it as an issue at any level.