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When is the only time during play that a field player can legally direct the ball with his hands? Right, a throw-in. (Okay, technically it's not "during play" until after the throw, but I needed a lead in. Go with it.)
So what does Law 15 have to say about how to take a throw-in?
"At the moment of delivering the ball, the thrower:
- faces the field of play "
A throw-in must be performed while the thrower is facing the field, but the ball may be thrown into the field in any direction. This does not require the thrower to be "square" with the field, or prevent him twisting his body. Basically, if any part of the thrower's front is facing the field, that's okay. (Try making a legal throw without at least part of your body facing the field!)
"- has part of each foot either on the touch line or on the ground outside the touch line"
Okay, this is pretty cut and dried. If either foot is in the air or completely on the field at the moment of release, it's an illegal throw.
"- uses both hands "
Again, this sounds simple. Two things to keep in mind:
There is no requirement in Law 15 prohibiting spin or rotational movement.
A player who lacks the normal use of one or both hands may nevertheless perform a legal throw-in provided the ball is delivered over the head and provided all other requirements of Law 15 are observed.
"- delivers the ball from behind and over his head "
Also simple, right? Well, apparently not.
Many coaches and referees think "behind the head" means "touching the back of the neck." It means just what it says... behind the head. The ball does not have to touch anything. In fact, a liberal interpretation would be "behind the imaginary vertical line that defines the top of the head."
What about "over the head?" Again, some coaches and referees think this means the ball must go over the head and cannot be released until it has done so. The first half is essentially accurate; a throw is illegal if the ball is carried past the thrower's ear, for example, but it doesn't have to go directly over the top of the head... a little off center is okay.
And it's the ball that must go over the head, not the hands. The ball could legally have been released prior to crossing that imaginary vertical line mentioned earlier; the hands may or may not follow.
The key to judging a throw-in is to remember the purpose of the throw-in... to get the ball back in play as quickly as possible. Apparent technical infringements of Law 15 should probably be deemed trifling as long as an advantage is not obtained by the team taking the throw-in and the restart occurs with little or no delay.
In other words, don't be picky!
Here are some other points to remember:
The throw-in is to be taken "from the point where [the ball] crossed the touch line." This requirement is satisfied if the restart occurs within approximately one yard of this location, upfield or downfield or back from the touch line.
An acrobatic or "somersault" throw can be legal. But a kneeling throw is not. The intent is that both feet, but only both feet, are touching the ground at the release.
A "spiked" throw, that is, thrown hard into the ground, is not legal... even though the ball was delivered "over the head."
A throw-in that hits an opponent is not necessarily a foul. Evaluate the thrower's intent, the force of the throw, the position and movement of the opponent. Hitting a teammate with the throw is usually legal... if you don't think there was malicious intent.
Standing in front of the thrower is not necessarily illegal. If the opponent took the position prior to the start of the throw-in attempt, maintains that position throughout the throw, and doesn't interfere with the thrower, let him be. If he runs up to that spot after the thrower is in place, moves around (or moves with the thrower), jumps to get the ball before or as the throw is made, or tries to distract him, then warn or caution as appropriate.
The ball is considered to have entered the field and is therefore in play when it breaks the outer edge of the vertical plane of the touch line. If the ball touches the ground outside the field before breaking this plane, the throw-in has not been properly completed and must be retaken.
Got all that?
(If you wish to comment on this article, send a message to basra@basra-refs.org.)
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