Soccer Referee Resources
Home
Ask a Question
Articles
Recent Questions
Search

You-Call-It
Previous You-Call-It's

VAR (Video Assistant Referee)

Q&A Quick Search
The Field of Play
The Ball
The Players
The Players Equipment
The Referee
The Other Match Officials
The Duration of the Match
The Start and Restart of Play
The Ball In and Out of Play
Determining the Outcome of a Match
Offside
Fouls and Misconduct
Free Kicks
Penalty kick
Throw In
Goal Kick
Corner Kick


Common Sense
Kicks - Penalty Mark
The Technical Area
The Fourth Official
Pre-Game
Fitness
Mechanics
Attitude and Control
League Specific
High School


Common Acronyms
Meet The Ref
Advertise
Contact AskTheRef
Help Wanted
About AskTheRef


Soccer Rules Changes 1580-2000


Panel Login

Question Number: 35186

Law 15 - The Throw In 10/26/2023

RE: School / Competitive Under 15

Gregg Slaff of Pequannock Township, NJ United States asks...

If a team is awarded a throw in and the thrower throws the ball down the line with the ball, staying on the line for a period of 10 to 15 yards and then goes out of bounds. What is the ball ever in play?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Gregg
Thanks for the question.

Once the ball touches the plane of the touchline the ball is deemed to be in play. If the ball then subsequently moves away from the line to go as you say out of bounds a throw in is awarded to the opponents at the point that it left the plane of the line
My good colleague Referee Dawson uses the analogy of a plane of water on the touchline. Once the ball is *wet* on the plane it is on the field of play and once no longer touching the plane it is fully in or out depending on what side of the touchline plane the ball is on.
In you example the ball is *wet* for 10 / 15 yards which makes it in play and then it leaves the field of play. The restart is a throw in to the opponents where it left the plane, the field of play.
It would only be a retake if the ball never touched the plane of the line from the throw in that is it never got *wet* at any time. That does happen yet only when the thrower is back from the line and the throw is clearly not close to the touchline at any point.





Read other questions answered by Referee Joe McHugh

View Referee Joe McHugh profile

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Gregg,

The lines form part of the field. If any sliver of the ball is above the line, it's in. In the same way as a ball in play is still in if 99% it out but a sliver is above the line, if the ball is being returned into play then the moment any sliver is above the line, it's in.

So, if the ball travels down the line then swerves back out, it's a throw to the other team where the ball swerved out.

Unless there is an AR or the ref happens to be standing on the line, it can be hard to tell if this occurred, or if the ball stayed out the entire time. As a ref, unless you're sure it went over the line, you'll typically give them the benefit of the doubt and retake the throw.



Read other questions answered by Referee Jason Wright

View Referee Jason Wright profile

Ask a Follow Up Question to Q# 35186
Read other Q & A regarding Law 15 - The Throw In

Soccer Referee Extras

Did you Ask the Ref? Find your answer here.


Enter Question Number

If you received a response regarding a submitted question enter your question number above to find the answer




Offside Question?

Offside Explained by Chuck Fleischer & Richard Dawson, Former & Current Editor of AskTheRef

<>
This web site and the answers to these questions are not sanctioned by or affiliated with any governing body of soccer. The free opinions expressed on this site should not be considered official interpretations of the Laws of the Game and are merely opinions of AskTheRef and our panel members. If you need an official ruling you should contact your state or local representative through your club or league. On AskTheRef your questions are answered by a panel of licensed referees. See Meet The Ref for details about our panel members. While there is no charge for asking the questions, donation to maintain the site are welcomed! <>