Question Number: 16398

Law 15 - Throw In 8/22/2007

RE: Comp Under 13

ryan roberts of Bedford, IN US asks...

On a throw in the player throws the ball into play and the defender heads the ball directly to the player who has just thrown the ball into play. the player catches the ball and immediately throws the ball back into play.
two questions actually
1)the player caught the ball in the air out of bounds, is the ball out prior to the catch and if not would the ball not have been the other teams then?
2)is it legal to immediately throw the ball back in play without the offical signalling or making a call?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

(1) Yes. Law 9 says, "The ball is out of play when it has wholly crossed the goal line or touch line whether on the ground or in the air." When you said the defender headed it out, you did mean it was an opponent of the player taking the throw-ins, right? An opponent last touched the ball before it went over the touchline.

(2) Does the player have to wait for a signal? Whyever for? If it is apparent that the ball was out, and apparent which team gets the throw-in, let's just play.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

If all players know who is entitled to the restart of play the referee need not signal who gets the restart! It is far better for the referee to position himself on the field so he can better see play around an attack that may develop.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Ball has totally crossed the touchline after being headed and before it is caught, out of bounds, throw-in to opponent. The other team may immediately take the throw