Question Number: 22931

Law 15 - Throw In 3/11/2010

RE: 8 Adult

Jimmy of Houston, Texas US asks...

Is ok in a throw to use your opponent back to throw and get the ball of your opponent?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

If you are asking whether or not it is okay to bounce a ball off of an opponent at a throw-in, the answer is a qualified yes.

The throw cannot be violent, cannot be at the head or face (this will be considered at a minimum as unsporting behavior), or as a means of taunting or otherwise being silly.

Why teams would want to do this puzzles me, as the chances of a call from the referee are high, and even if there isn't a call, there is never a guarantee at a throw-in that it will go where the thrower wants - i.e. to a teammate.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

It will be a judgment call for the referee whether this involved excessive force or violence (in which case it is a striking foul and a card) or not. It is not, by itself, illegal.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Jimmy
The Law was changed in 2007 to allow this. If a player, while correctly taking a throw-in, intentionally throws the ball at an opponent in order to play the ball a second time but neither in a careless nor a reckless manner nor using excessive force, the referee shall allow play to continue.
Many players are not aware of this as previously it was seen as USB and an IDFK.