Question Number: 35631

High School 7/26/2024

RE: High School

David Kuechler of Fond du Lac, WI United States asks...

On a throw in, when a player places the ball behind the head and starts to throw the ball over his head, before releasing the ball, stops and turns in the other direction to throw the ball, is there an infarction???

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi David
Thanks for the question.

As described there is no infraction. Changing direction of the throw before the ball is thrown is allowed. Really all that has happened is probably a feint to go one way and then a correctly taken throw in the opposite direction.

From your description the conditions of a legal throw are present
Ball in both hands.
Feet on the ground.
Ball behind the head.
Ball thrown from behind and over the head.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi David,

The requirements for a throw-in under NFHS rules are as follows:

"The ball shall be thrown in any direction from the point where it crossed the touchline by a player who is facing the field of play and has both feet on the ground on or behind the touchline. The thrower shall use both hands (unless a physical impairment would limit use to one hand) and shall deliver the ball from behind and over the head in one continuous movement."

It's a little tricky to tell from your description but if the player did not release the ball and after turning, carried out a throw that still met the requirements, there would be no infraction.

The mere fact that the player started as if to throw the ball in one direction and then turned to throw it in a different direction would not, in and of itself, be a breach of the rules as far as I can tell.

Answer provided by Referee Joe Manjone

Hi David,

Referee Grove provided NFHS Rule 15-1-2 which covers the throw-in. Please note the throw-in must be in one continuous movement from behind the head, over the head and release of the ball.

From your description, the throw-in started and was then stopped with the ball over the head so the player could turn the head and then throw the ball in the other direction.

Thus, this would be a violation if the throw-in was made from the top of the head, and was not restarted with the ball being placed at the back of the head and the throw-in made in continuous motion in the new direction.

I see the Wisconsin High School Boys Soccer Season starts one month from today. Your local high school soccer officiating association training has most likely gotten underway. Hopefully, the association has access to and are utilizing the new NFHS Soccer Officials Manual in their training. Although the NFHS has had officiating manuals in most other sports, this is the first ever NFHS Soccer Officials Manual. As a coach, the Manual is also a valuable resource for you and your team.

I hope your team has a very successful season.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi David, the pump action fake throw would require you to reset the ball in behind the head if you stop/started it in one direction but choose not to release then turned to go another direction. Remember the high school rules are not always exactly the same as FIFA there are minute differences as safety and etiquette have greater importance. There is even a kick in scenario instead of throw ins currently being tested for youth at the FIFA level only I think?