Question Number: 30416

Law 15 - Throw In 5/16/2016

Matt of Bristow, VA USA asks...

Had a very similar question (what does the ref do if the ball touches the ground prior to crossing the touchline) and looked at the LOG which do not address the issue specifically. However, the ATR states, 'If the ball touches the ground before entering the field of play, the throw-in is
retaken by the same team from the same position 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.'

Obviously, a little more leeway is granted at a U9 match, but what about for a U17 travel match on a rainy day? The ball slips from the players hands just prior to release (having fulfilled all the requirements of a legal throw) makes contact with the ground fully outside the field of play and bounces onto the field of play. Per the LOG this is a legal throw-in as I read it; however, the ATR advises a rethrow.

Follow-on to my follow-on: Same situation with the ball slipping from the hands of a U17 player but it happens next October when Law 15 changes from 'delivered' to 'thrown', since the ball was dropped and not thrown, would the throw-in still be considered to have met all the conditions of a legal throw-in?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Matt
This is what the LotG states
*If the ball touches the ground before entering the field of play, the throw-in is retaken by the same team from the same position 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.*
In the U17 the throw must be retaken as the ball touched the ground before entering the field of play. Now if the ball enters the field of play without touching the ground first the referee could deem that the TI is taken correctly and allow play to continues. Many times the player touches the ball again in such situations which can be an IDFK or a turnover. The referee may deem, which is the majority, that the ball is dropped which is an incorrect throw in. That is a turn over.
In respect of the change to Law 15 the change is to prevent the one handed throw with the player using one hand as a guide. If the ball is dropped that is no different come 1st June. It is an incorrectly taken TI now and after 1st June.