Question Number: 31494

High School 4/27/2017

RE: Competive High School

Lionel Heinold of Ephrata, washington United States asks...

During a throw in, on foot is clearly in touch and the other over the line on the field (not touching the line). Is this a correct throw in?

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Lionel,
Law 15 states that both feet must be ON or BEHIND the line.

If one foot is wholly on the field of play (not touching the line) then that foot is neither on nor behind the line, so that part of Law 15 is not met. That makes it an incorrectly taken throw in and a throw shall be awarded to the other team.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Lionel
At a throw in a player must have part of both feet on or behind the line. So a player could have his heels on the line with his toes over the line and that is legal.
Once the player places ALL of his foot over ALL of the line it is an incorrectly taken throw in and the throw in is turned over to the opponents.
In your example with one foot behind and the other foot clearly over the line that is not a correctly taken throw in.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Lionel,
technically the throw in is performed incorrectly as part of each foot must be on or behind the line. If you straddle the line the opposite team would be awarded the retake.
Cheers