Question Number: 65

Law 15 - Throw In 11/19/1999

RE: Competitive Under 16

Ben Nelson of Lincoln, Nebraska USA asks...

When a player does a "flip throw-in" or a "Tiger throw-in" as it is sometimes called, do the same rules apply as a regular throw in? I have seen many of these throw-ins and can never seem to judge them right. I know the player's feet still have to be on the ground when the ball is leaving their hands, but does the ball have to come behind the head?

Answer provided by Referee glenn 11/21/1999

Good question. Throw in's continue to generate a great deal of discussion. The law defines the mechanics pretty clear. Player facing the field of play,feet on the ground , on or behind the touchline with the throw itself coming from behind and over the head. The "flip" throw is illegal if it does not come from behind and over the head. The law and the advice to referees on the USSF web site is very helpful. Additionally the USSF has produced a video tape called "Myths of the Game" that discuss this and many other common myths of the game that are actually very straight forward.

Answer provided by Referee ref 11/22/1999

Mr Glenn is correct the mechanics are spelled out very clear. they are as follow from FIFA 1999 Laws of the game....."At the moment of delivering the ball, the thrower: .faces the field of play, has part of each foot either on the touch line or on the, ground outside the touch line, uses both hands and delivers the ball from behind and over his head"..You can check it out at Law XV The Throw In..The ball must come from behind the head. This is a tough move to officiate.