Question Number: 15222

Law 15 - Throw In 4/19/2007

RE: Rec, Select Under 13

Mark Warner of Huntington Beach, CA USA asks...

Question is a matter of semantics on throw ins.

I know the law says "delivers the ball from behind and over his head", however we had a discussion on how does this relate to WHERE the thrower can actually 'release' the ball.

Is the thrower supposed to release the ball "behind" their head? Over? What if they bend their body down towards the field?

The question came up because a kid was releasing in front of their face and in effect throwing the ball into the ground causing it bounce up. As a ref, every other part of the throw in was technically correct.

Thoughts?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

As a US referee you should refere to Advice To Referees On The Laws Of The Game. You may downlaod a copy for free from the US Soccer website. Section 15.3 deals with this. Basically, what you describe is a "spike" and not allowed at least here in the US. The ball must be thrown in a natural throwing movement. Please note 1. Most violations of Law 15 are trifling and 2. There is no prohibition against spin on the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Here is the particular quote:

A throw-in directed straight downward (often referred to as a "spike") has traditionally been regarded as not correctly performed; if, in the opinion of the referee such a throw-in was incorrectly performed, the restart should be awarded to the opposing team. There is no requirement in Law 15 prohibiting spin or rotational movement. Referees must judge the correctness of the throw-in solely on the basis of Law 15.

Please note the term "traditionally been regarded" in the quoted material. This is a US Soccer tradition and in other climes and places the referee just looks at the throw as pathetically short, given all other parameters correct and lets things go. Me too, and I'm in the USA...

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Spiking is OK in volleyball, not on throw-ins.