Question Number: 32973

Law 15 - The Throw In 1/12/2019

RE: Adult

David Moran of London middlesex, Middlesex United Kingdom asks...

This question is a follow up to question 32965

Getting myself in a muddle here with the throw ins. As the average foot is about 8 inches and the touchline is 2 inches. What does 'on the touchline mean'. To me it now suggests your heels could be on the touchline and the rest of your feet on the field. When I did my stats I looked at the number of times part of the feet were on the field of play when a throw in was taken. Does all of the foot have to be over the line to constitute a foul? Now I dont know what to think. Last entry from me, I'm going to have a lie down...... :)

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi David,
The fact is as long as ANY part of the bottom of your foot is ON the 5 inch touchline the rest of the foot can be inside the FOP .

Toes inside the FOP are fine as long as some part of the heel is catching some part of that 5 inch touchline! Imagine the touchline as a five inch wide puddle of of water extending along the ground if ANY part of the bottom of the foot remains wet then the throw in is fine .

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/joe-gomezs-throw-legal-lee-13612892


http://www.montanaref.org/ftproot/newrefonline/LOTGME/Law%2015/foot%20position.jpg

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

The foot can be partially, even mostly on the field - because the heel is still ON the touchline.
You'll not that the LOTG doesn't state the player cannot be on the field - just that they must still be on or behind the touchline. That doesn't mean 'wholly on or behind'. So as long as any part is on or behind, that's fine.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi David,
I think you've got it now. When you say, ''your heels could be on the touchline and the rest of your feet on the field'' you are perfectly correct. It is indeed the case that absolutely ''all of the foot [has] to be over the line to constitute a foul [throw].''