Question Number: 15790

Law 15 - Throw In 6/13/2007

RE: U-14 Under 16

josh of camrose, alberta canada asks...

I was once called on a throw-in because i threw the ball with one hand behind the ball and one on the side i am also a ref and in my law book it says that as long as two hands are on the ball when it is realeased it is a legal throw-in the ref that did my training at the beggining of the year said that in the fifa they are alowing the ball to be thrown with one hand behind and one on the side of the ball. So is it actually a rule that you have to have both hands on the side of the ball or can you have one hand behind and one hand on the side?

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Laws say that the thrower must use both hands. Not necessay that both hands use the same force upon thrown. So as long as both hands are on the ball, it is not NECESSARLY an illegal throw.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The manner in which you throw the ball is, in my opinion, an improperly thrown ball. It is because you are trying to get extra distance by the use of the mower powerful of your two arms. That is using only one hand, the other is there for looks. So every time you throw like this I will pull you up. At some point I will tire of telling you you are doing it wrong and caution you and show you the yellow card for persistent infringement of the Laws of the Game. If you do it again I will not hesitate in sending you off.

Right referee, the ball is in your court -- are you inclined to cheat and allow others to cheat? Your match, your decision and your reputation...

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Debbie Hoelscher

If you have one hand on the back of the ball when you throw it, you are really only using the one hand to throw the ball. The placement of the hand in situation you have outlined has been specifically addressed by US Soccer's Entry-Level Referee course explaining Law 15 as an example of an incorrect thrown-in. However, if the referee is of the opinion that the ball has been thrown in with both hands, then that is the opinion of the referee and is in regard to facts connected with play, which cannot be disputed.