Question Number: 17105

Law 15 - Throw In 10/5/2007

RE: Select Under 15

Ken Huss of Lenox, MI USA asks...

Law 15 Throw Ins

I have a girl who performs somersault throw ins and really gets much better distance out of it not just a show off thing. Anyways She at times gets called because one of her knees touches the ground on the follow thru, my argument is that the ball is released by the time the knee touches. My question is is that a legal throw since the ball is gone already? Second if the ball is still in her hands (as one ref claimed) and she touches one knee (the knee is not over the touch line and the remainder of the throw is proper) does that make the throw foul?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

USSF's publication "Advice to Referees" confirms that the flip throw is allowed, provided all other requirements of a throw-in are met. "Advice" also states that a kneeling throw is not allowed. So if your acrobatic thrower touches her knee down before the ball is released, it is a foul throw. If the referee sees her knee down and decides that it happened before the throw, even though you say it was part of the follow-through, well guess who's opinion counts?

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

One wonders why professional players choose to ignore somersault throw-ins? Could it be the chance of loosing a sure goal to an improperly taken throw-in? Could it be the chance of injury? Could it be a regular throw-in effort goes farther? One does wonder.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Ken,
while spectacular looking and some can achieve a longer throw by that method versus the normal upright method. As my colleague aptly points out is it truly a smart throw in? Well controlled, to their player, free from extra scrutiny of a referee who looks closer to find fault? On a slippery field does it present a possible injury situation or errant release? I will agree that once the ball is released the player stumbling forward to drop a knee on your flip or even raise the back foot while upright might not have breeched the proceedure per say but as my other colleague again points out which decision counts? Yours or the referees?
Cheers