Question Number: 31196

Law 15 - The Throw In 1/23/2017

RE: Rec Under 14

Stephen Fisher of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire England asks...

During a game at the weekend I had a parent constantly questioning whether someone was making a foul throw. He said as the ball was spinning in the air the throwers hand was coming off the ball. I didn't think it was but the ball was rotating as he threw it, which looked like his hands were rotating on the ball. But under the rules the ball came from behind his head, both hands remained on the ball and his feet were behind the line. Does the fact the ball is rotating indicate it maybe a foul throw.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Stephen,
The requirements of the throw-in law as regards hand position and technique are actually quite minimal. The entire wording in this regard, as Ref McHugh states, is that the player must ''throw the ball with both hands from behind and over the head''

Within those very simple requirements there is nothing I can see that would imply a throw is incorrectly taken merely because the ball ends up with a certain amount of spin as it travels through the air. There's an old saying, ''Just because it looks ugly, doesn't mean it is wrong.''

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Stephen,
The parent was once again perpetuating an absolute MYTH of EPIC proportions. Not surprizing as I often say spectators see what they think they see, players see what they feel, coaches see what they want, you as referee see what you see and you sir are 100% correct NOT to make any call except if there is opportunity and accompanied with a smile advise the parent the correct application of the LOTG. Not that my approach works for all but I often in the pregame walk the touchlines and ask the parents if they have any questions. Education is for everyone! Both hands but it was not said with equal force, it was done to prevent a goal keeper whip toss or basketball drop shot.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Stephen
At one time Law 15 stated that the thrower *uses both hands* while taking a throw in. Some referee opined incorrectly that spin was a tell tale sign of not using both hands. This developed a myth that such a TI was illegal. Not so.
The Law was subsequently amended to *holds the ball with both hands* to stop the myth and as of June 2016 further amended to * throw the ball with both hands from behind and over the head from the point where it left the field of play*
So as described as long as both hands were on the ball then the TI was good. Nothing to do with spin.
For what it is worth, trying to deal with a constant questioning parent can be difficult. One would think that the advantage of spin on the ball was so significant that the opponents were being hugely disadvantaged! Most shouts of foul throw are an attempt to turn over possession cheaply. With player appeals of foul throws I usually shout loudly *Nothing wrong there*.