Question Number: 30213

Law 15 - Throw In 3/23/2016

RE: Competitie Adult

Fred Gerritsen of Utrecht, Utrecht Netherlands asks...

Throw In. Is it allowed to throw in on your Knees. Both feet are touching the ground.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Fred,

There are a number of things that aren't specifically mentioned in the laws because convention or natural understanding (spirit of the law) should be sufficient.

You're right that the feet may technically be touching the ground, but the intent of the law is clearly that the player is 'on' his feet, rather than they have incidental contact with the ground, so I would consider this an incorrectly taken throw.

Though preemptive refereeing is always golden - if you can see this occurring, try to stop the throw before he takes it.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Fred
Not possible. This is where tacit knowledge of the game comes in rather than the explicit words of what is written. That knowledge informs us that the throw in is made from a standing position. Indeed if we read Law 15 we need that tacit knowledge to determine if the TI is correctly taken or not on other aspects. If a player is on his knees taking a throw in it is incorrectly taken. It will attract howls of protest anyway so it is a simple decision. I would go as far as to say that I would not allow a squatting position either. Put it this way. If both happened in a game and the referee called them as incorrectly taken TIs he would be seen to be correct. It would not happen again in the game.

Answer provided by Referee MrRef

Hello Fred,
This is not permitted! The throw in is not to be performed sitting or kneeling. The new type of throw in the flip throw or somersault throw has created a squatting position that for the most part is recognized as ok! Stick to a more traditional stand and deliver throw for less techy ref scrutiny.

from our pitch to your pitch in the spirit of fair play

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 30218