Question Number: 15502

Law 15 - Throw In 5/17/2007

RE: awful Adult

richard gray of belfast, antrim northern ireland asks...

in respect of a foul throw the referee tends to blow up if you release the ball late to throw it to someone close to you but this does not appear to infringe on any of the items in rule 15. Where does this come from that the ball must be released effectively before going past your forehead?

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

The ball must be delivered from behind and over the head. If the ball is released past the head, then the thrower has infringed Law 15. Most referee provide a lot of leeway here, but some newer referees tend to call the little trivial "questionable" things.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

I disagree with Ref Mueller on this one. To throw the ball a long distance the ball must be accelerated over a long distance and time so that necessitates holding it in the hands a long while, the release point is well forward of the head. The Law says over and behind, it doesn't say at what point it is released; myth busted. If a referee blows for an incorrect throw, don't throw that way any more, that match -- he just set a condition of play. It's a good idea yo play that way so you don't get all unhappy and moan a bit. You did say your level of play was awful, didn't you? You might not be getting top level referees, we all had to learn someplace.

Regards,