Question Number: 35850

Law 15 - The Throw In 12/26/2024

Petr of Prague, Czech Republic Czech Republic asks...

Hello

one question about throw-in please.

Law 15:
At the moment of delivering the ball, the thrower must:

- throw the ball with both hands from behind and over the head from the point where it left the field of play

Does this mean that the ball can be released first when it is in the hands above the head?

What if a player releases the ball that is behind his head at that moment? (I admit it seems a bit strange, but it can happen.) Will you intervene or not?

Thank you very much!

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Peter
Thanks for the question.

Over recent years I have noticed a slackening of enforcement of Law 15 at Pro level with referees allowing questionable throw in mechanics. I now regularly see this flick of the ball from the top of the head to a team mate who is beside the thrower.

Here is an example
https://youtu.be/4GwuhMwYyis?si=UVcRNWkUL-Q5WaF1

Notice though how the Blue opponents were not bothered by the throw in action. At grassroots this would attract shouts of Foul Throw and personally I am calling that with a turnover.

My own take on how the Law on restarts was framed I believe it as to keep players away from the taker and to prevent crowding. A properly taken throw in will keep players a distance from the throw.

My take is that an ugly throw in might not be illegal and if it looks like it is okay then play on. Spiking the ball, drópping the ball, raising a leg, being over the touchline, from the wrong place are all reasons for an incorrectly taken throw in.
If a referee does not like a questionable throwing action then make a call either to allow it from then on or turn it over. A turnover will always prevent a repeat of the action.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Petr,
a throw in was supposed to be a quick restart for why a ball went into touch and not a goal or corner kick using the foot as it is at either end of the FOP.

Now adaptations have been introduced and there is even a law change requiring a minimum distance the opposition must be from the designated throw-in. Yet the exact spot the ball exits we tend to be generalized which then complicates the defenders reasoning especially if we permit the thrower to walk the ball up the line as I see so often.

I think they should eliminate the procedures in place and put four caveats in place! (1) the ball is tossed in by hand and is in play the moment the ball touches the boundary line and the hands can not be on the ball when it is released back into play (2) it cannot be tossed into the PA area or Keeper gets a DB. (3) the defenders must be 3 yards away from the point of the exit & (4) strict adherence to the exit point. You can use two or one hand you can deliver under hand or over hand.

As it is currently written and interpreted we are pretty liberal with the release point and how because the exact blade of grass point is rather lenient (yard or two) and the fact we tend to allow a run up dragging the toe. Then there are the myths of spin (it has no bearing) how far (nothing is ever said we must put the ball in play in terms of yards away when a mere trickle finger flick places the ball right on the touchline and the fact both hands being used (do not require equal force)

My colleagues comments on the Giggs throw in state it was taken incorrectly I think it was taken sloppily perhaps poorly even minimally be it doubtful or trifling, the need to intervene is simply not there! What was so wrong? The LOTG are often vague when it comes to specifics of behind and over the head? No completely, no, rest it on the neck, no, ensure the ball is leaving the hands on the follow through, no reach out hold and let the ball roll down the back??

I watch toe drags where the foot bobbles up off the ground. I see a foot lifted prior to the ball being released . I see feet on the touchline incorrectly awarded to the other team . I see throws from far away where the ball exited that should not be permitted . I see balls delivered that make contact or break the boundary line plane called never in and allowed to be retaken?

Personally unless its a grenade hand lob with the back turned I do not get terribly upset as loss of possession. My #1 priority the throw -in is taken from -WHERE IT EXITED- a few general no no's for me? (a)No opponent is with 2 meters. (b)The ball is NOT spiked
Cheers