Question Number: 15089

Law 15 - Throw In 3/31/2007

RE: Rec Under 9

Simon Diggins of Sandy, UT USA asks...

Having checked the wording of Law 15 (Throw-in) I see that it is OK if throwers feet are "on or outside the line" at time of delivery. Has this always been so? As a kid I was taught that both feet must be completely outside the touch line. Does anyone know if I've just always been wrong on this, or was the rule changed some time ago?
Thanks for any info!

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

I have done some research on this and have found nothing to support this claim. Perhaps my colleagues can provide some insight here. My understanding is that both feet need to be on or outside the touchline. Also, from 1 yard/meter from where the ball crossed the line.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Simon,
as long as some part of the foot remains ON or behind the touch line part of that foot can be inside the field. The other foot is subject to the same guidelines!
To help you with perspective a player could have both heels only partially on the 5 inch touch line and the 4/5ths of both feet poking onto the field it is a legal throw as long as both feet remain in contact with that touch line until after theball is released!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I believe this has been true for at least the past 25 years

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

I'll be willing to wager this goes all the way back to the 1880's when the two handed throw replaced the one handed throw.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I remember reading that back in the annals of time, throw-ins were taken by having both feet *on* the line. And that the throw had to go perpendicular to the touchline. (I can't recall where I read this, though, so the source might not be reliable.)

Answer provided by Referee MrRef

As an addition to the history of the throw-in. In the beginnings of The Game when the ball crosseed the longer field boundary it had gone to touch. The player touching it first returned it to play. It was thrown from where it crossed the line, perpendicular to the line. The first change to this came about because touching the ball first was rather competitive, to say the least. It went to the side opposite that having last touched it. Players returned the ball to play with one hand and could throw it into goals for a score. Those throwing the ball with one hand became very skilled and could throw the ball a long distance. Next change was the two hand throw, from where it crossed the touchline and no goal could be scored.

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