Question Number: 22864

Law 15 - Throw In 2/24/2010

RE: All Under 14

Todd of Camp Hill, PA US asks...

This question is a follow up to question 22848

Referee Wickham makes a very valid point. The purpose of a throw-in is to get the ball back into play. As one's experience in refereeing increase, it becomes very evident when a player is performing an illegal throw-in or delaying the match as opposed to just getting the ball back in play.

I've had coaches scream bloody murder when an opponent taking the throw-in has the ball slip out of the their hands during the motion, causing the ball to sail high or fly off to one side. The latter especially invites calls of 'foul' as the coach immediately cites that the player must use both hands.

In both situations, no illegal throw-in is necessary. The throw-in may be ugly but that does not constitute illegality.

The other favorite complaint is the famous 'spinning' ball. Last time I checked...about five minutes ago on the FIFA Website and USSoccer, there is nothing in the rules that makes a throw-in where the ball spins illegal.

Simply put...the throw-in is a way to get the ball in play. Don't add complexity where there is none. If a player hands the ball to his teammate, let it happen...at least until they are obviously delaying.

As always, the answer the panel has given are spot-on and very well referenced.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Thanks for your comments. Nothing in the laws prohibits 'spin' on a throw-in, although it is a common myth.

One other area of concern, however, is the player who tries to take a throw-in, and makes an improper throw of a ball that does not enter the field of play. Nothing has changed in the usual case where the ball touches the ground before entering the field of play on what is otherwise a correct throw: the throw-in is retaken by the same team from the same position. FIFA now adds, however, 'provided that it was taken in line with the correct procedure. If the throw-in is not taken in line with the correct procedure, it is retaken by the opposing team.' See FIFA Interpretations. Thus, "never came in" is no longer enough information to retake the throw.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Todd
There was a subtle change made to Law 15 in 2008 when the wording was changed from 'uses both hands' to 'holds the ball with both hands'. Many assumed that if the ball had spin on it that the player did not 'use both hands' to throw the ball and therefore it was an incorrectly taken TI. That is how that myth developed.

Answer provided by Referee Gene Nagy

Todd, you make great points. There is one thing that you omit saying. What did you do with the screaming coach? I hope that in the next stoppage you told him that they are allowed to coach from the technical area but the coaching is restricted to members of their own team. You, the referee does not need coaching and especially not when delivered in anger and loudly.

The problem with these coaches is that it incites the soccer players and demonstrates to them, especially the young, impressionable ones that dissent is OK. Well it is not allowed and there is a law requiring them 'to behave in a responsible way'.

It is one thing for a coach to bravely scream at you but when I go over to them and calmly state that ONE MORE PEEP OUT OF YOU and you can sit in your car, they usually quickly pull in their horns. Some coaches are slow learners and they do indeed sit in their cars.