Question Number: 15500

Law 15 - Throw In 5/16/2007

RE: Grade 8 FIFA Certified Referee Under 19

Andrew of Camp Hill, PA USA asks...

Over the weekend I officiated a U-11 Girls Div. 1 game and during the course of play I found myself (mentally) second-guessing one of my calls on a throw-in. During the "controversial" play, a player on the team who had been awarded a throw-in picked up the ball and proceeded to throw it into play. At the initial stages of the throw, the player followed all the procedures for a proper throw-in: feet behind (or on) the line, ball straight back over the head and feet on the ground. However, while the player stepped with her foot in one direction (down the sideline), in a single fluid motion she rotated her torso 45 degrees (with her feet planted) and threw it to a teammate in the middle of the field. At this point I blew my whistle to stop play since as interpreted by the laws of the game she did not throw the ball "facing the field of play." Rather to me, it seemed that she had deceptively made a twisting motion with her body to throw off the other opposing players downfield. I therefore gave the throw-in to the opposing team. Was I correct to stop play and award a throw-in to the opposing team? Also, were my interpretations of "the field of play" reasonable as outlined in law 15? Thanks.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

The main issue here is was she facing the field of play or not. Also, was the ball delivered from behind and over the head. If she twisted her body, she maybe did not deliver the ball over the head properly. Without seeing this, it is hard to say what I would have called or decided on. Generally if part of her body was facing the field, the throw would be accepted as legal.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The line divides the world into two 180-degree parts. As long as the player is facing anywhere within the field-side 180 degrees, that part of Law 15 has been satisfied. It doesn't say she can't change from facing one part of that 180 degrees to another part.

I will agree with Ref Mueller, doing the twist while throwing the ball could cause the ball to not come from behind and over the head. Refs should look for that.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Using your logic a kick-off is incorrect if it doesn't go straight ahead or a penalty taker who sets his body at the left post and beats the keeper on the right post must retake. Facing the field came to us in the 1800's it means throwing the ball in front of you.

The referee can also think of a throw-in this way: it wasn't bad it was just ugly. That way you don't have to stop things. When players say foul throw just say "Nope, just ugly -- I'll let you know if it's bad". They smile and continue running around chasing the ball.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

This should be allowed.

Also, remember as you progress into higher levels of refereeing a throw-in is a proceedure to get the ball back into play. Unless there is a glaring error, you might be able to consider some of the problems you will encounter doubtful or trifiling and allow play to go on without the added interuption. Just a thought.