Question Number: 17958

Law 15 - Throw In 11/19/2007

RE: ayso Under 7

Charles Doff of LOS ANGELES, ca usa asks...

Okay, My 6 year old, Kayelea, is very talented in her 2nd year of soccer. On Saturday she had a throw in opportunity. She could not get it to any of her teamates so she threw it in right at the opposing player. It bounced off and came right back to Kayelea. She then took it down field and scored with out anyone else touching it.

Is that legal???

We came up with it last year and mess around with it for practice 2 v 2 but she did it in a game and it worked.

Thanks,

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

If she threw the ball at the opponent with any force, this would be a striking foul. How much force is up to the referee. For 6 year olds, very little force indeed.

If it is not a foul, then K has the right to play the ball again after it has touched any other player, on either team.

I wouldn't spend a lot of time practicing this kind of thing. Most teams, especially those with young players, can profit more from practicing additional dribbling, passing, and kicking rather than trick plays.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

In general, coach, I'd dissuade your 6 year old from throwing the ball at an opponent. If she simply hit the other player with the ball, then, yes, she may now play it. The requirement is that the ball touch any other player before she may play it. That said, if the referee believes she's trying to hurt the other player or even if she accidently hurts the other player, she could get shown a red card and be asked to leave the field. We wouldn't want that!

Answer provided by Referee Debbie Hoelscher

I just have to ask, why in the world would you coach your daughter to play in an unethical manner? Just because the LOTG don't specifically address it DOES NOT mean they SHOULD do it. These activities we enroll our children in are supposed to supplement our teaching them right from wrong, getting along with others, fair play and basic ethics. Just because you CAN doesn't mean you SHOULD! Good grief. You are the parent. You are the adult here. Step up and get it right -- it doesn't "take a village," it takes a responsible parent.