Question Number: 23614

Law 11 - Offside 7/4/2010

RE: competitive Under 15

aw of Ridgefield, ct usa asks...

I was challenged with a situation in a competitive girls U14 tournament and was curious to read your comments. One of the teams had a player who had only one arm. Whenever her team had a throw-in opportunity in their defensive end of the field, this young lady would throw-in to restart play. Her motion resembled a baseball throw and, given her age, she was able to throw the ball a considerable distance (at least double the distance of any other player). Of course I did not want to be insensitive, but it became clear through the course of the first half that her manager was using her tactically, fairly certain that I would not single her out for illegal throw-in procedure (law 15). (As an aside, at each throw-in you could hear spectators shout, 'illegal throw-in,' although of course spectator interpretation had no influence on my decision making.) I decided to allow the throw-ins to continue so long as the result was trifling. However, I was prepared to whistle an infraction if an unfair advantage was the quick result. I briefly spoke with the manager at half time (he wanted to complain about the parents protestations). I told him all throw-ins were to be from behind the head or it would be an infraction. Obviously, these throw-ins were not 'with both hands' as is stipulated in law 15. I was in a difficult spot here, not wanting to deny participation but at the same time trying to uphold the laws of the game. Did I handle this appropriately? Your opinions are always greatly appreciated.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Law 15 contemplates that a player will use all the hands they have to put the ball back into play. Having one hand does not prevent a player from taking a throw-in. You are correct that a player with one hand must nonetheless conform with the requirements of the Law - including coming from behind and over the head, from the spot where the ball left the field, from behind or on the touchline, while facing the field.

I'm not sure exactly what a 'baseball' throw would look like here, but if it did not come from behind and over the head, the throw-in should have been awarded to the other team. You could, depending on the age or skill level, have told the player what was expected and allowed one extra try, but I would not recommend anything beyond that, and certainly would not expect that to be necessary at a competitive as opposed to recreational level tournament.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi AW
The game encourages the participation of those with special needs. In the case of a player with one arm there is nothing to prevent the player throwing the ball in as long as it from over the players head in line with Law 15.
What is not allowed is a side arm throw like a goalkeeper which I assume is what you mean by a baseball throw?
The way I would deal with this is that at the first throw in that is taken incorrectly is to stop play, say politely to the player that she must throw the ball from over her head using one arm/hand and allow her to throw the ball in again. It is very easy to take a TI in this fashion and indeed many players only use a dominant arm with the other used for guiding the throw.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hello there!